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THE
Overseas Workers Welfare Association (OWWA), together
with Microsoft Philippines and Rizal Commercial Banking
Corp. (RCBC), unveiled on Friday an Internet-based
platform called Tele-OFW (Overseas Free Way) that enable
overseas Filipinos to send remittances cheaper.
Randy
Granoveffer, Microsoft general manager for emerging
markets, said the project is actually a first for the
software heavyweight and the Philippines has been chosen
as pilot for such undertaking. “This is a breakthrough
that will enhance the communication of the workers and
their families,” she said.
Tele-OFW,
the newest product offered by RCBC Telemoney, uses
either a Windows Mobile 5.0 device that is WiFi/cellular
enabled or a personal computer with a Microsoft Live
Communication server to enable OFWs to communicate by
instant messaging. They can also call home for free,
using the Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) feature,
and remit their money from wherever they may be in the
world. RCBC is the first bank to use One Follow Me.
RCBC
said fund transfers through Tele-OFW—as enabled by One
Follow Me—are done in a seamless manner. Participating
OFWs and their families are provided with RCBC debit
bankcards and digital accounts powered by a Microsoft
Windows Live ID. Through the digital accounts, OFWs can
digitally transfer remittance funds directly using the
Windows Mobile 5.0 phones or Windows-based personal
computers.
RCBC
president and chief operating officer Francisco Magsajo
said the bank is going to offer financing package for
OFWs to enable them to buy a mobile phone and a personal
computer. “We will encourage our OFWs to buy the mobile
phones and personal computers through local branches,”
he said.
Under
the Tele-OFW program, RCBC is offering two types of
personal computers priced at P25,600 and P30,000.
Further, RCBC is offering a package for both the
personal computer and mobile phone at P50,000.
Although the interest rates for the financing program
are not yet available, Magsajo assured that RCBC is
going to make it affordable for the OFWs.
RCBC
senior vice president and Telemoney group head Cynthia
Paras-Santos said the program is also aimed to convince
OFWs to save and invest more through banks.
“The
new feature is in keeping with the bank’s commitment to
enhance our RCBC TeleMoney service, encourage our
countrymen to put greater trust and confidence in banks
handling their hard-earned money, and make their lives
more convenient and meaningful through technology,” she
said.
OFWs
and beneficiaries who open an RCBC TeleMoney account can
request for the Tele-OFW system.They can use their
mobile phones to access the Internet and conduct single
or multiple fund transfers. The money is credited to
their beneficiaries’ accounts and can be withdrawn using
automated teller machines (ATMs).
Microsoft Philippines general manager Antonio Javier
said the launching of One Follow Me illustrates the
positive impact of technology on improving the lives of
people. |
