News and Events

Months after its official launch, the Pinoy OFW Insurance proved to be a reliable coverage for Overseas Filipino Workers/ Migrant Workers as it paid its first claim under PAMICO’s Balik- Manggagawa or Direct-Hired Insurance Program.

PAMICO, with its lead insurers Cocogen Insurance, Inc. and United Coconut Planters Life Assurance Corporation (Cocolife), turned over the compensation to Elvie Ado, the widow of the insured Ricardo Demate Ado, at the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) Office in Mandaluyong, July 21.

Also present in the turnover were POEA Administrator Bernard Olalia and Deputy Administrator Villamor Ventura Plan.

A total of USD 10,000 was given to the beneficiary of the insured as compensation for natural death case. This is on top of the financial assistance on the expenses for the repatriation of the mortal remains of the deceased policyholder in his hometown in Sta. Maria, Bulacan.

Ado, 50, worked as trailer truck driver in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for 10 years. He passed away on June 23, 2022 due to cardiac arrest. He is survived by his wife, two children who are still studying, and a stepdaughter. His remains arrived in Bulacan on July 9, 2022 through the assistance of Aspire Lifestyle.

“Talaga pong napakahirap ng sitwasyon namin. Hindi po kami mayaman, kaya laking sakit po na nawala s’ya sa amin lalo po at may dalawa pa kaming anak na pinapa-aral,” Mrs. Ado expressed.

She recounted that they had to borrow money from relatives to defray the expenses for the burial and interment of her husband. They also reached to the employer of her late husband and the Philippine embassy in Saudi Arabia to arrange all compensation due but to no avail.

It was after the internment when Ricardo’s colleagues informed the family that he had an existing insurance policy and they recalled the time when he mentioned that he had to buy the insurance as a requirement for his employment.

After learning about the coverage, his relatives, based in Sta. Maria, Bulacan informed Cocogen of the situation, and all involved parties were notified to process the claim.

Mrs. Ado expressed her gratitude to PAMICO, Cocolife, and Cocogen adding “Napakalaking tulong po nito sa amin para mabayaran ang mga utang lalo na ‘yung mga nagastos sa libing. Gusto ko pong malaman ng mga tao, lalo na po yung mga katulad namin na may kamag-anak na nagta-trabaho sa ibang bansa na nakapahalaga po na may ganitong insurance at totoo po ang mga benepisyo ng insurance.”

The Pinoy OFW Insurance provides insurance coverage for direct hired migrant workers USD15,000 benefit for accidental death, USD10,000 for natural death, and USD7,500 for permanent disablement. This also covers the actual cost of repatriation due to termination of employment, repatriation of mortal remains, compassionate visit, medical evacuation, and medical repatriation. If terminated, they are also entitled to USD100 monthly subsistence allowance but not exceeding six months.

“Our sincerest sympathies go to the bereaved family of Mr. Ado. We know all how hard it is to lose someone, especially a loved one, and in our little ways, we want to make sure that we fulfill our promise because that’s the main reason we exist,” Atty. Darren M. De Jesus, Cocogen President, stated.

The beneficiary, Bartolay, was provided a roundtrip service from Bulacan to POEA, as she personally received the payment.

“PAMICO, together with Cocogen and Cocolife, will stay committed to providing our OFWs with the best insurance coverage they deserve. Sadly, this incident is proof that things like this happen and we hope that this would make our OFWs realize the importance of financial security, especially for their families,” Theresa Atayde, PAMICO President, said.