RIYADH: Philippine officials have appealed to Filipino workers in the Kingdom to become active members of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).

The OWWA members are entitled to benefits in case of accidents and their children can avail of scholarships, besides help in case of death.

The officials’ appeal came Friday, days after a accident in Qassim. Two Filipino workers, Roel Manago and his nephew, Gilbert Arcala Jr., lost their lives in the vehicular accident.

They were involved in the work of installing automatic doors for a local company. Their pick-up vehicle turned turtle following a flat tire near Buraidah in Qassim. Manago was declared dead on arrival at the hospital while Arcala died two days later.

At the time of his death, Manago’s OWWA membership had expired. However, Arcala’s family is entitled to benefits as was a member.

“Had Manago’s membership not expired, his family would have received 200,000 pesos in compensation, in addition to 20,000 pesos toward funeral expenses,” an official told Arab News.

Dionisio B. Tabuco Jr., a former community leader, said that Manago had earlier told him he wanted to renew his OWWA membership. “However, he did not have time to travel. Buraidah is about 400 km away from POLO in Riyadh where the payment for membership renewal was to be made,” he said.

He expressed the hope that the POLO and the embassy make it possible for Filipinos in remote areas to pay OWWA membership fee through the “Embassy on Wheels” which renders consular services. OWWA membership depends on the worker’s contract. If it’s for one year, the membership is also for one year; if two, the membership is for two years. The membership fee is SR94.