All overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), especially those who are going abroad for the first time, are required to attend the Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS) held by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA). In addition, Household Service Workers (HSWs) need to attend another orientation seminar: CPDEP.
The Comprehensive Pre-Departure Education Program (CPDEP) is a mandatory, 1- to 6-day orientation seminar for departing HSWs. This seminar teaches them about the language, culture, practices, and other information about their country of destination.
Topics Covered by CPDEP
The CPDEP program is focused on the rights, welfare, and needs of overseas HSWs. It is administered by OWWA, in coordination with OWWA-accredited Non-Government Organizations (NGOs).
The seminar covers the following courses/topics:
- Culture Familiarization. This course teaches HSWs about the local customs, traditions, religious beliefs, and practices in their country of destination.
- Language Training. This course teaches basic greetings, expressions, and vocabulary of the language used in the destination country.
- Stress Management. This course teaches departing HSWs about how to cope with stressful work environments or conditions in foreign households.
As of this writing, available CPDEP courses include: Arabic Language, Cantonese Language, Mandarin Language, Hebrew Language, and Culture Familiarization. There are specific courses as well about Singapore and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).
Eligibility
The CPDEP program is specifically designed for HSWs, who are required to attend an orientation seminar before overseas deployment.
Requirements
Before attending the seminar, HSWs, together with their employer or recruitment agency, need to prepare the following documents:
- Endorsement Letter from Employer or Recruitment Agency;
- Passport Bio Page;
- PDOS Certificate; and
- Verified Employment Contract.
Application Process
Meanwhile, here is an overview of the process involved in the the CPDEP program:
- The HSW enrolls online through prep.owwa.gov.ph, in coordination with his/her employer or recruitment agency. This step includes filling out the online enrollment form and uploading the required documents.
- The CPDEP Enrollment Staff evaluate the application and release the training schedule.
- The HSW attends the CPDEP orientation seminar online. It is held via Zoom for one to six days, depending on the country of destination and language training involved.
- After the training, the HSW’s E-Certificate of Attendance (COA) is released by OWWA. The certificate indicates the participant’s name, occupation, country of destination, tape of training/language course attended, and name of employer or recruitment agency. This document also includes a QR Code, which can be checked and verified.
For more information about the CDEP program, interested applicants are urged to visit the OWWA official website.
Image Credit: dmw.gov.ph
Since HSWs will be working closely with their employers, it’s important for them to be familiar with the local culture, language, and customs of their destination country. They should also be prepared physically, mentally, and emotionally before they go abroad. The CPDEP provides them with crucial information, so that they can successfully adapt to living in a foreign country.
Aside from CPDEP, there are many other programs provided by OWWA to OFWs and their families. Among them is the Skills-for-Employment Scholarship Program (SESP). Visit this link for more details about it.