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[av_heading heading=’OWWA enhances services for OFWs, dependents’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”][/av_heading]
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Friday, Agusto 4, 2017
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ILOILO CITY – Several services of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) in Region 6 have been strengthened to respond to the need of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their qualified dependents.
These services cover employment facilitation and capacity-building involving the provision of educational and training and scholarship program.
According to OWWA-6 officer-in-charge for program services division Conie Binarao, the Seafarers’ Upgrading Program (SUP) can still be enjoyed by sea-based workers even if they have ended their contract because the validity of their OWWA membership has been extended for six months after expiration.
The program is open to seafarers who have rendered three payments of OWWA membership. One payment is valid for two years regardless of the duration of their employment contract, change in job order and change of employer.
OWWA pays up to P7,500 for every course or training. As of the half semester of this year, OWWA has already spent P4.549 million for the training of 961 seafarers.
Also, scholarship programs have been strengthened to accommodate more dependents of OFWs, she said.
Starting June this year, OWWA has raised to 2,500 from 1,250 the national slots for the OFW Dependents Scholarship Program (ODSP).
Next year, 25 dependents from each of the provinces of Western Visayas and Negros Occidental will be accommodated. They are composed of 13 incoming first year college and 12 currently enrolled from second to fifth year.
ODSP is open to OFWs whose income will not exceed US0 from the previous US0. It has no qualifying examination and the recipient must not have a failing grade. The scholar receivesP20,000 per year or P10,000 in one semester.
Moreover, OWWA also increased the national slots for the Education for Development Scholarship Program (EDSP) from 200 to 1,000.
This year, 36 scholars in Western Visayas, taken in on a first come, first served basis, are enrolled in second year to fifth year college. They are required, however, to have a grade of 85 in all subjects with a full load as required in their course prospectus.
Meantime, OWWA is currently sorting application forms of incoming first year college students who expressed their interest to take the qualifying exam that will be given by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) this year.
EDSP scholars receive P60,000 annually or P30,000 per semester.
In addition, children or spouses of deceased OFWs also get assistance under the education and livelihood assistance program. To date, there are 262 dependents who are enrolled in various grade level in Western Visayas.
Children-beneficiaries enrolled in elementary schools receive P5,000 per year; P8,000 for those enrolled on secondary and P10,000 or P5,000 per semester in college.
Spouses are also given a livelihood assistance amounting to P15,000. The one-time assistance now benefits 36 recipients.
While a menu has been provided for them to choose the kind of project they should engage in, still they opted for whatever is applicable within their area. Among their livelihood projects are livestock-raising, sell of farm implements, sari-sari store and fishing equipment, among others. (PNA/PN)
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