By Liza Agoot/Philippine News Agency
BAGUIO CITY — A Grade 7 learner, orphaned by her overseas Filipino worker (OFW) father when she was in Grade two, is assured of a secured future as the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) provided her with a high school scholarship.
Princess Jolin Erispe, a Grade 7 student who is consistently on top of her class, received anew the certification making her eligible under the Education and Livelihood Assistance Program (ELAP) for dependents of active OWWA members who passed away.
She had received the same after her father’s death more than five years ago.
Her dad suffered a cardiac arrest in 2014 while working in Canada. Her mother, on the other hand, had to leave her as well to work as factory worker in Taiwan. Princess and her 10-year-old sibling are with their grandparents in Irisan.
During her elementary years, Princess used to receive PHP5,000 assistance every year. Now that she is in high school, she will get PHP8,000. Her ELAP coverage will be effective for the entire duration of high school.
Like Princess, 67 other children of former OFWs in the Cordillera Region are receiving assistance under ELAP, which is extended to the children of OFWs who were active members of OWWA when they passed away.
Financial assistance of PHP5,000 is given in elementary, PHP8,000 in high school and PHP10,000 in college. The legal spouse is also given a one-time assistance of PHP15,000.
The program ensures that the children and dependents of OFWs are given the chance to finish their education.
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