Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Administrator Arnell Ignacio seems to be relentless in creating unique and broader programs for migrant workers as he made public on Friday, August 26, his vision of producing “scholars in music.”
Ignacio, a former actor and musician, said on a social media post that he is looking forward to producing scholars who have a powerful talent in music from the sector of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) or their families.
“I look forward to the day that OWWA will produce scholars in music who can do real work on musical scoring for movies and TV,” Ignacio wrote on his Facebook account.
He said: “I dream of a Filipino John Williams,” pertaining to the legendary American musician John Towner Williams who is a composer, conductor, and a pianist.
The OWWA chief has started infusing new strategies to rejuvenate the programs and strategies of the agency.
OWWA’s existing flagship programs on scholarships include the Education for Development Scholarship Program (EDSP), which entitles beneficiaries to receive P60,000 cash assistance per school year; Skills for Employment Scholarship Program (SESP) with at least P7,250 to P14,000 educational aid to beneficiaries; OFW Dependent Scholarship Program (ODSP) providing P20,000 per academic year to beneficiaries; Educational Livelihood Assistance Program (ELAP); Mariners Dugtong Aral Program (MDAP) which provides up to P38,120 scholarship aid; OWWA Seafarers’ Upgrading Program (OSUP); and Pre-Departure Education Program, among others.
Meanwhile, Ignacio reiterated his instructions to OWWA officials that the public should benefit from their services.
“OWWA will endeavor to promptly respond to the needs of OFW families, especially in crisis situations. No one should left behind,” Ignacio told the Manila Bulletin.