The scholarship slots being offered by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) was increased to 5,000 in a bid to provide more opportunities to deserving student-dependents of active overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
From 2,500 slots before, OWWA Administrator Arnell Ignacio said the figure was doubled in order to accommodate more dependents.
“Makatatanggap ng P60-K financial assistance ang isang iskolar per school year para sa Education for Development Scholarship Program o EDSP (A scholar will receive P60-K financial assistance per school year for the Education for Development Scholarship Program or EDSP),” said Ignacio.
For those under the OWWA Development Scholarship Program (ODSP), the educational assistance is worth P20,000 every year.
And for those under the Educational Livelihood Assistance Program (ELAP), the education assistance for elementary and high school scholars are from P5,000 to P15,000.
Meanwhile, OWWA signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Landbank of the Philippines (LBP) to improve the distribution of scholarship grants.
“Ang collaboration ng OWWA at LBP ay lalong napapaigting ang serbisyo ng OWWA sa mga OFWs at kanilang mga pamilya. Sa pamamagitan ng pagpapadali ng pagpapamahagi ng scholarship grant, pagpapalawak ng mga oportunidad sa edukasyon, at pagpaparangal sa mga tagumpay ng mga pamilyang OFW (The collaboration of OWWA and LBP further strengthens OWWA's service to OFWs and their families. By facilitating the distribution of scholarship grants, expanding educational opportunities, and honoring the achievements of OFW families),” said Ignacio.
“The OWA-LBP partnership shows OWWA's dedication of OFWs dependent and having a beneficial impact on the lives of Filipino families, both in the Philippines and overseas,” he added.
Clarita Citra, branch manager of the LBP OWWA Branch, said the alliance introduces an improved payroll system to lessen the financial strain on OWWA scholars that include bank fees. (Trixee Rosel)