By Justin Paul D. Marbella
OWWA RWOI
In
its aim to enhance its delivery of services
to the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their dependents, the Overseas
Workers Welfare Administration Regional Welfare Office I (OWWA RWOI) met with
guidance counselors and career coaches of various secondary schools in Region I
for a consultation on scholarship program implementation.
The orientation and
consultation meeting in the implementation of OWWA scholarships for OFW
dependents was held May 20, 2016 in San Fernando City, La Union.
The meeting was also aimed at
giving light to issues and concerns brought by the implementation of the K-12
Program in the country’s educational system, which institutionalizes pre-school
(kinder) and senior high school education to all learners in the country. Some
of the OWWA’s scholarship program, namely the Education for Development
Scholarship Program (EDSP), OFW Dependent Scholarship Program (ODSP), Education
and Livelihood Assistance Program (ELAP), have been affected by the K12
Program.
Around 41 guidance counselors
have joined in the meeting. Six of them come from Ilocos Norte, four from
Ilocos Sur, nine from La Union, and 22 from Pangasinan. Officers from the
Department of Education Division of La Union also came in.
During the meeting, the
participants were oriented with the OWWA programs and services of OWWA. With a
focus on the education and training benefits, the guidance counselors were
given with an overview on the guidelines and policies of the scholarship
programs. Statistical data on the availment of the scholarships in the region
have also been presented.
At present, the OWWA
scholarship programs for OFW dependents who are incoming college students are
the EDSP, which grants P60,000 per school year to OFW dependents who pass the
qualifying exam; ODSP, which grants P20,000 per school year to dependents of
OFW whose salary is not more than US$400, and who also pass the pre-screening
selection process.
The OWWA also provides
educational assistance to a dependent of a deceased OFW-member, through the
Education and Livelihood Assistance Program (ELAP). Meanwhile, the Skills for
Employment Scholarship Program (SESP) grants P14,500 training assistance to OFW
or dependents who wish to enroll in any technical-vocational course. The
Microsoft Tulay Information Technology Program also provides OFW-members,
active or inactive, and their dependents training on basic computer
applications. Sea-based OFWs who wish to upgrade their skills through formal
training may also enjoy training assistance at P7,500 through
the Seafarers Upgrading Program (SUP).
The results of the meeting
have been documented for reference and consideration in the implementation of
the scholarship programs in the regional level. The participants’ inputs and suggestions
will also be incorporated in the 2016 Region 1 OFW Manifesto, which will be
presented on June 7, 2016, in celebration of the 2016 Migrant Workers’ Day.
“Your insights are
instrumental in the achievement of our goal to continually enhance and upgrade
our services,” Rhoda Nilda Placida R. Lee, education and training unit head,
enthused. “May this meeting also forge stronger ties among us all, so that
together, we become advocates of educational and professional development, not
only of OFW dependents, but all Filipino learners,” Gerardo C. Rimorin, OIC
PSD, remarked.
Comments
Post a Comment