The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) assisted about 72,534 Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in Central Luzon in the first two years of the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
During the 15th episode of the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas of the Philippine Information Agency, OWWA Regional Director Ma. Lourdes Reyes explained that this figure translates to a total of P394,763,737.40 worth of assistance from July 2022 to June 2024.
Under the OWWA Scholarship Programs, the agency assisted 302 OFWs in Skills for Employment, 112 OFWs in Seafarers Upgrading Program, 950 OFWs in Information Technology Program, and 340 OFWs in Pre-Departure Orientation Program.
Reyes said OWWA offers long-term and short-term baccalaureate scholarships to qualified dependents of active OWWA-member OFWs namely: Education for Development Scholarship Program (EDSP) and OFW Dependent Scholarship Program (OFWDSP), respectively.
“EDSP scholars will receive P60,000 allowance annually while OFWDSP scholars will get P20,000 per year to aid them in tuition fees and other academic-related expenses,” Reyes noted.
Meanwhile, Reyes disclosed that 10,013 individuals benefited from the P199,033,066 worth of social benefit assistance ranging from disability and dismemberment, death and burial, livelihood grants, supplementary medical assistance, and welfare assistance program.
OWWA also offers livelihood assistance and business opportunities to OFWs, through the Reintegration Unit, as an alternative to their employment abroad.
These include the Balik Pinas Balik Hanap-buhay Program with 7,418 beneficiaries; 278 assisted OFWs in Enterprise Development and Loan Program; 351 individuals in OFW Family Circles; and Tulong Pangkabuhayan sa Pag-unlad ng Samahang OFWs in which P7,685,000 was released to 174 beneficiaries.
She added that the Welfare Assistance Unit extended a hand to a total of 3, 201 OFWs.
Subsequently, Reyes assured their continuous support and services to OFWs through their programs: social benefits, welfare assistance, reintegration, scholarship and special programs.
For inquiries and more details, OFWs may contact the Regional Welfare Office III thru Facebook page- The OWWA Region 3 or hotline 1348. (CLJD/TJBM, PIA Region 3-Tarlac)