HSWs (Household Service Workers) have their own version of the Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS) called Comprehensive Pre-Departure Education Programs or CPDEP, which they utilize instead of PDOS. The CPDEP, which is a training program for domestic workers, is open to them and must be completed before they travel overseas for work.
Also Read: List of OWWA Benefits Programs and Services for OFWs
Domestic workers must complete a mandatory three-to six-day orientation CPDEP seminar. One of the Modules includes basic language instruction, cultural familiarization, and stress management. Its purpose is to educate and prepare them for work conditions outside of their native country, where the culture, customs, and traditions, as well as the language, are totally different.
Contents
What is CPDEP?
The OWWA’s response to the needs of vulnerable groups, especially domestic workers (DWs), is the Comprehensive Pre-Departure Education Program (CPDEP).
The CPDEP aims to educate OFWs and prepare them for working in a foreign nation where the culture, customs, and traditions, as well as the language, are completely different from their own.
There are two components of the CPDEP: the Language Seminar, Culture Familiarization Seminar, and the Stress Management Seminar.
Language Familiarization Seminar
The Language and Culture Familiarization Seminar is designed to help OFWs overcome language barriers, gain a better understanding of their host countries’ culture and traditions, and communicate more effectively with locals, while the Stress Management Seminar is designed to help DWs cope with stressful work conditions and environments in foreign households.
Basic Language Training
The Language and Culture Familiarization Course of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, which began in January 2007, offers Arabic language training. The language course was expanded in March 2009. (D.O. No. 95-09 Series 2009).
The following is a list of OWWA’s current language courses.
- Arabic – Three (3) days training
- Cantonese – Three (3) days training
- Hebrew – Three (3) days training
- Italian – Three (3) days training
- Mandarin – Six (6) days training
Cultural Familiarization Seminar
This tackles any potential cultural obstacles that employees may have while working in another nation. The cultural familiarization involves a study of the host country’s traditions, cultural norms, and practices, cuisine, art forms, and entertainment. It also includes a brief introduction to the nation’s history.
Stress Management Seminar
It prepares individuals both physically and mentally for the demands of working in a foreign nation. Current coping techniques of the workers were validated, and new coping mechanisms were developed. It improves comprehension of stress’s causes and effects.
Qualifications
- Filipinos who are emigrating from the Philippines (if you have been issued an immigrant visa)
- Adults between the ages of 20 to 59
- Children between the ages of 13 to 19
- Minors under the age of 13 and adults over the age of 59 are not eligible to take the CPDEP.
Benefits of CPDEP
- The goal of the CPDEP is to help HSWs in adjusting to their new jobs and remaining in them for the first six months.
- CPDEP focus on the fundamental needs of HSWs for orientation rather than overloading them with specifics.
- The orientation seminars are country-specific and, in some cases, skill-specific, with the purpose of providing HSWs with as much relevant and credible information as possible to assist them in quickly transitioning into their new work environment.
- HSWs would be better equipped to deal with the challenging work environment and atmosphere seen in international households.
What are CPDEP Requirements?
- Original passport (must be valid about six months before the date of travel)
- Original visa (attached to the passport)
- One valid government-issued ID with photograph such as:
- Alien Certificate of Registration (ARC I-Card)
- Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) ID
- Barangay Clearance / Certificate
- Certification from the National Council for the Welfare of Disabled Persons (NCWDP)
- Company / Office ID, Student’s ID or School ID
- Consular ID
- Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) ID
- Driver’s license
- Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) E-card
- Home Development Mutual Fund (HMDF) or PAG-IBIG ID
- Marriage Certificate (NSO Authenticated)
- National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Clearance
- National Statistics Office (NSO) / Birth Certificate
- Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) ID
- Overseas Worker’s Welfare Administration (OWWA) ID
- Permit to Carry Firearms
- PhilHealth Identification Card (PIC)
- Philippine National Police (PNP) ID
- Philippines Overseas Employment Association (POEA) ID
- Police Clearance
- Postal ID
- Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) ID
- PRA Special Resident Retiree Visa (SRRV) ID
- Seaman’s Book
- Senior Citizen’s ID Card
- Social Security System (SSS) ID
- Tax Identification Number (TIN) ID
- Unified Multi-Purpose ID (UMID)
- Voter’s ID
- Country specific documents such as:
- A printed copy of Visa Grant Notification Letter for Australia-bound emigrants
- Employment contract (for immigrant workers)
- Certificate of Eligibility for Japan-bound emigrant
- Certificate of Permanent Residency (COPR) for Canada-bound emigrant (must not be torn or signed before departure)
- Duly completed registration form
- Immigrant Data Summary for USA-bound emigrant (must not be detached from visa packet) except for K visa holder
- Letter of Approval for Work to Residence Visa for New Zealand-bound emigrants
- Nulla Osta for Italy-bound emigrants
How to Apply for CPDEP online?
Step 1: Email or call the nearest OWWA office in your area your full name, address, phone number, and the application you’re considering in.
Step 2: Send them your completed personal information.
Step 3: Wait for the confirmation of your scheduled CPDEP training.
Important Reminders
Here are some important reminders about the OWWA CPDEP program for domestic workers.
- You will receive a Certificate of Completion once you have completed CPDEP.
- The Certificate of Completion along with other documents must be submitted to the POEA for processing.
- The Certificate of Completion must be shown at the airport when departing.
- To avoid delays or difficulties at the airport, make sure all of your docments are complete and well-organized.
- Only CPDEP applications that meet all of the registration criteria will be approved by the CFO.
Video: OWWA-CPDEP Guide
You can watch the Karen Marie Gorospe YouTube video for their OWWA-CPDEP experience:
This is a detailed video of one of the online seminars (Arabic language training) which features what you can expect when you attend the CPDEP.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some FAQs about the CPDEP OWWA project:
1. How much does CPDEP registration fee cost?
There is no registration fee for the CPDEP.
2. How many days does CPDEP program last?
The program will be completed in three to six days.
3. Is it required to register at CPDEP?
Yes, registration at CPDEP is required. One of the requirements for leaving the nation is a CPDEP.
4. What Language Courses Does OWWA Currently Offer?
The students will receive substantial linguistic (alphabet) and basic household vocabulary instruction. It covers the history, faith, and judicial system in Arabic, Cantonese, Hebrew, Italian, and Mandarin, as well as prohibitions that were established and included during the training to make the learners more aware and prepared. The learners will also receive a pronunciation guide, greetings and apologies, numerals and currencies, calendar, time, customs, and values as part of the course.
Summary
Before domestic workers are authorized to leave the Philippines for work abroad, they must complete the Comprehensive Pre-Departure Education Program (CPDEP). To potential overseas workers, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) offers relevant and personalized training in language training, culture familiarization, and stress management.
One of the most important and beneficial requirements for leaving the country is the CPDEP. It also covers any potential cultural barriers that workers may have while working in another country.
The program provides workers with training in language training, culture familiarization, and stress management. It is a requirement for all domestic workers to attend the CPDEP seminars before they are authorized to leave the Philippines.
The program is offered in several languages, and it covers a variety of topics that will help domestic workers prepare for their work abroad. The CPDEP is an important requirement for all domestic workers, and it can help them overcome any potential cultural barriers they may face while working in another country.