By Perla Lena/Philippine News Agency
ILOILO CITY — About 1,290 students from Western Visayas benefit from various scholarship programs offered by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) to its active overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their dependents under the education and training assistance.
OWWA 6 (Western Visayas) Director Wilfreda L. Misterio presented the scholars during the celebration of Migrant Workers Day 2019 at the Robinsons Place-Pavia on Thursday.
Misterio said this school year, 33 new scholars are joining the Education for Development Scholarship Program (EDSP). The latest list brings to 115 the number of EDSP scholars from Western Visayas eligible to enroll in any four- or five-year course in any school of their choice.
“Western Visayas is top 3 out of 17 regions in terms of scholars, which means that we have plenty of bright students here,” she said.
The EDSP is administered by the Department of Science and Technology. Its scholars receive PHP30,000 each per semester, provided they maintain a weighted average of 2.5.
On the other hand, the OFW Dependent Scholarship Program, which is open to dependents of OFWs whose income does not exceed USD600, has 168 scholars.
This scholarship program has limited slots, has no qualifying examination, and does not require a maintaining grade, provided they pass their subject, according to Family Welfare Officer Christian S. Labuyo.
He said each scholar can avail of PHP20,000 annually. This year, it caters to only 25 scholars per province — 13 slots for first year, and 12 for second to fifth year in college.
In the meantime, 353 dependents of deceased OFWs benefit from the Educational Livelihood Assistance Program. Labuyo said the OWWA finances the education of the eldest child from elementary up to college.
From Kinder to Grade 6, they can each receive PHP5,000 a year; PHP8,000 for Grades 7 to 12; and PHP12,000 annually for college.
Moreover, 47 OFWs or their dependents avail of skills for the employment scholarship program. This program offers vocational or short-term courses in training centers accredited by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.
The OWWA also finances the upgrading program of 607 seafarers who are active members.
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