OWWA Benefits for Filipino Seamen

Did you know that the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) have various scholarship programs for aspiring OFWs and Filipinos who already have experience on-board but want to improve their skills? These scholarship programs are offered to let Filipino seamen to enhance and upgrade their skills in order to keep up with the changing global maritime industry. What are these OWWA scholarships, trainings and incentives programs? Read on and find out.

1. Seafarer's Upgrading Program- This offers short-term courses for upgrading the competence of Pinoy seafarers. One may receive an assistance of P1,200 up to P7,500 for training allowance inclusive of meal and transportation allowance just in case the trainees are referred to the National Maritime Polytechnic (NMP). Only Filipino seafarere who are active member in OWWA and may subsequently avail right after 3 consecutive membership contributions and if the training will be availed in the prescribed period.

2. Mariners' Dugtong-Aral (MDA) - Qualified graduate of BS Mechanical Engineering and BS Electrical Engineering may avail of this scholarship grant. This grant offers Php 38,120.00 plus Php 15,000.00 for 3-month stipend that will lead to a seafarer's BS Marin Engineering degree. MDA is offered to those who want to go on-board an ocean vessel as qualified Marine Officers.

3. Incentive Program for Top 200 Maritime Cadets (Cadetship Program)- The top 100 students of BS Marine Transportation and BS Marine Engineering who passed the Maritime School Assessment Program are given Php30,000 each worth of incentive to be used in processing their documentary requirements to be able to board an international vessel.

4. Marine Educational Development Loan Program (MEDLOP)- This loan program comes in the form of "study now, pay later" that gives potential on-board marine officers and engineers a chance to pursue tertiary education bygiving them an interest-free financial assitance while they study to receive a maritime degree, thus giving them the opportunity to board an international vessel.

For further inquiries, you may contact Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) through the following information:

OWWA MAIN

7th St. Cor. F. B. Harrison

Pasay City, Philippines

(632) 8917601 to 24

24/7 OPERATIONS CENTER 551-6641; 551-1560

TEXT OWWA; (63)917-8986992

FAX (632) 551-6651

E-MAIL owwa_opcenter247@yahoo.com