IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR EDUCATION AND TRAINING BENEFITS
OF OWWA MEMBERS
Family Pursuant to Article VIII of the OWWA Omnibus Policies approved
by the Board of Trustees through Board Resolution No. 038, Series
of 2003, the following implementation guidelines on education and
training benefits for OWWA Members are hereby instructed:
A. General Provisions
1. Coverage:
This covers the Skills-for-Employment Scholarship Program - Phase
I (SESP-I), Education for Development Scholarship Program (EDSP) and
Seafarers Upgrading Program (SUP) which are open for technical / vocational,
baccalaureate and maritime upgrading courses. Scholars shall come
from qualified dependents of OFW-Member or of the OFW as in the case
of SUP.
2. Scholarship Committee
For purposes of policy formulation, direction and interpretation
on the management and administration of all education and training
programs, the Scholarship Committee (SC) is hereby created. It shall
be constituted by the following.
Chair - Head, Field Service Office and Deputy Administrator
Vice-Chair - Director, Plans and Programs Office.
Members - Director, Internal Management Service Office.
- Director, Regional Operations Coordinating Center.
The actions of the Committee shall be recommendatory in nature and
subject to the approval of the Administrator, without prejudice to
the Administrator's delegating his authority to the Committee if he
so desires.
3. Responsibility Area
For clarity of functions, the following areas of responsibility are
identified:
3.1. The Regional Offices (ROs) shall be responsible in the administration
and management of the program; and the evaluation and monitoring of
day-to-day operation of all education and training programs. It shall
maintain a database on the availees of the programs and copy furnish
the Regional Operations Coordinating Center (ROCC) and the Plans and
Programs Office (PPO).
3.2. The Regional Operations Coordinating Center (ROCC) shall be
responsible in coordinating with the different units in the Secretariat
for the funding, reportorial and other requirements of the programs
and shall also consolidate required data and maintain a database.
3.3. The Plans and Programs Office (PPO) shall be responsible in
the development and evaluation of the programs.
3.4. The Internal Management Service Office (IMSO) shall be responsible
in the provision and speedy release of funding requirements.
4. Funding Requirements
The following funding requirements for each program are set:
4.1. SESP - P6 Million per year.
4.2. EDSP - P6 Million on 1st year of implementation with annual
increase at P6M thereafter and finally reaching P24 Million on the
4th year of implementation .
4.3. SUP - P10 Million per year.
5. Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible to any of the programs, the applicants must:
5.1. Be an OWWA member or his beneficiary / dependent. Beneficiary
/ Dependent as used herein shall be limited to spouse and children
of married OFWs, and/or brother / sister not more than 21 years of
age of unmarried OFWs;
5.2. Be a High School graduate; and
5.3. Be a Filipino citizen.
6. Procedural Policies
6.1. Availments are by voucher system and scholarship must be availed
of on the specific period indicated in the voucher;
6.2. Availees are subject to regular evaluation and assessment;
6.3. Scholarship grant is non-transferable; and
6.4. Outstanding graduates shall be recognized and awarded accordingly.
7. Partner Institutions
All schools, colleges, universities and training institutions authorized
or accredited or whose programs are registered with appropriate government
authority (i.e. TESDA, CHED, DOST, MTC, etc.) shall be deemed OWWA
partners for its programs. The partner institutions in coordination
with the PESOs shall exert effort to refer / place graduates of all
programs.
B. Education and Training Programs
1) Skills-for-Employment Scholarship Program (SESP)
The SESP consists of 1-year or 6-month technical / vocational programs
following the regular school year calendar, offered to landbased or
seabased OFWs or their beneficiaries / dependents in coordination
with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
Upon receipt of the scholarship voucher, the grantee may enroll in
any TESDA-registered program. Program choices shall be supportive
of the land and sea based skills requirement.
1.1. Distribution of Slots
Regional distribution shall be determined in approved annual Work
Financial Plan (WFP) of the regions.
1.2. Financial Assistance
The financial assistance per scholar under the 1-Year Technician
Program shall be P14,500 while under the 6-Month Operator Program
shall be P7,250. The amount shall be paid directly to the school as
tuition fee. If the tuition fee is more than the financial assistance,
the scholar shall shoulder the difference while if less, the difference
shall be released to the scholar after the end of the program upon
submission of the competency assessment and certification of course
completion.
1.3. Course Offerings
The scholars shall choose from the course offerings based on the
critical skills priorities of the region as determined by TESDA, such
as:.
Agriculture and Fishery
Processed Food and Beverages
Tourism (including Hotel and Restaurant)
Decorative Crafts
Gifts, Toys and Housewares
Jewelry
Decorative Ceramics
Metals and Engineering
Furniture and Fixtures
Garments
Construction
Communication / Information Technology / Electronics
Maritime
Land Transport
Health and Social Services and other Community, Social and Personal
Services
1.4. Availment Requirements
All OWWA members (landbased or seabased) or their beneficiaries /
dependents to avail of the program must:
pass the TESDA qualifying examination or Multiple Aptitude Battery
Test (MABT) on the program of choice;
have at least one (1) membership contribution. Three (3) additional
membership contributions is required for subsequent availments; and
after completing the course, submit for competency assessment and
certification administered by TESDA or its accredited testing centers.
1.5. Documentary Requirements
The applicants must submit the following to the OWWA Regional Offices
of residency:
accomplished application forms (2 sets)
1" x 1" ID pictures (2 copies)
Form 137 / HS Report Card or Transcript of Records / Official copy
of grades
Proof of OWWA Membership: Official Receipt of OWWA Contribution /
OFW E-Card
If a Member's beneficiary, proof of relationship to OWWA Member (e.g.
copy of marriage contract and/or birth certificate of both OFW and
applicant-dependent duly certified by the Local Civil Registrar)
1.6. Process Flow (Annex A)
Processing of scholarship applications shall be governed by the following
procedural steps:
Applicant secures and accomplishes application form and submits it
with complete requirements at OWWA Regional Office;
OWWA Regional Office screens applicants and evaluates application
forms and documentary requirements;
If applicant has not complied with all requirements of the program,
OWWA-RO either disapproves or requires applicant to fully comply with
requirements;
If applicant has complied with all requirements, OWWA-RO refers applicant
to TESDA for qualifying examination;
If applicant passes the TESDA examination, OWWA-RO orients scholar
and issues Scholarship Voucher; and
If applicant fails the TESDA examination, OWWA-RO disapproves application
for scholarship.
Scholar submits scholarship voucher to training institution or school
for enrolment.
Training institution or school admits OWWA-referred applicant for
enrolment and issues confirmation slip of enrolment to scholar for
submission to OWWA-Regional Office (RO);
OWWA-RO prepares payment of tuition fees and pays directly to the
school;
OWWA-RO releases remaining balance of financial assistance (if there
is any) to scholar upon submission of the competency assessment and
certification of course completion; and
The school, in coordination with PESOs shall provide employment referral
/ placement services to graduates of the program; and
2) Education for Development Scholarship Program (EDSP)
The Education for Development Scholarship Program (EDSP) is a scholarship
grant offered to qualified OFW beneficiary / dependent who shall enroll
in any 4-5 year baccalaureate course.
2.1. Annual Scholarship Slots
A total of one hundred (100) scholars shall be selected annually
thru a national competitive examination jointly conducted by OWWA
and its partner institution.
2.2. Scholarship Privileges
A total of one hundred (100) scholars shall be selected annually
thru a national competitive examination jointly conducted by OWWA
and its partner institution.
The scholarship grant hereto provided shall be in the form of a financial
assistance amounting to P30,000 per semester.
The grantee / scholar is free to choose his / her desired field of
study as long as the program is offered by a CHED accredited college
/ university.
Scholarship shall continue until completion of the course (4-5 years),
regardless of the status of OFW membership provided the Scholarship
Agreement, which is an integral part of this MOI, is complied with.
2.3. Program Eligibility and Limitation
The grant is only provided once.
The scholar must not be a recipient of other scholarship grants.
2.4. Availment Requirements
The applicant must satisfy the following:
Must not be more than 21 years of age;
Must be in good health;
Must pass the qualifying examination (DOST National Examination)
and the College Admission Test of the school where he / she intends
to enroll.
2.5. Documentary Requirements
The applicant must submit the following to the Regional Office in
his / her place of residence:
Accomplished application forms (2 sets);
1" x 1" ID pictures (2 copies);
Proof of relationship to Member / copy of Birth Certificate of applicant
(and of the Member if related as brother or sister) duly certified
by the Local Civil Registrar;
Form 137 or Transcript of Records; and;
Proof of OWWA Membership (i.e. E-Card / Official Receipt of OWWA
Contribution / Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) / Seamen's Identification
and Record Book (SIRB) / Employment Contract duly processed by the
POEA / Certification from OWWA Membership Registry Division).
2.6. Financial Assistance
The financial assistance of P30,000 per semester shall be paid directly
to the school. If the tuition fee is more than the financial assistance,
the scholar shoulders the difference, while if less, the difference
shall be released to the scholar upon submission of the grades for
the semester.
2.7. Process Flow (Annex B)
Processing of scholarship applications and grants shall be governed
by the following procedural steps:
Applicant secures and accomplishes application form and submits it
with complete requirements at OWWA Regional Office;
OWWA-Regional Office (RO) screens applicants and evaluates application
forms and documentary requirements;
Once the applicant has complied with all requirements of the program,
OWWA-RO schedules applicant for DOST National Examination, endorses
and recommends applications to Central Office - Scholarship Committee
(SC) and advises scholar to wait for result of DOST examination and
SC evaluation;
Scholarship Committee receives and consolidates lists of examinees
and submits it to DOST;
DOST conducts examination at predetermined examination venues to
OWWA-prospective applicants and provides results to the Scholarship
Committee;
Scholarship Committee evaluates and recommends 100 qualifiers from
the results of the examination for approval of the Administrator;
Scholarship Committee informs OWWA-ROs of qualifiers;
OWWA-RO notifies qualifiers on approval / disapproval of their application;
OWWA-RO orients scholar on program policies, guidelines and procedures,
asks scholar and parents to sign the Scholarship Agreement, and issues
Scholarship Voucher and Enrolment Confirmation to school through scholar;
OWWA-RO Supervisor signs the Scholarship Agreements, have it notarized
and copy furnish Regional Operations Coordinating Center (ROCC) and
Administrator;
Scholar brings Scholarship Voucher, enrolls to school of choice and
submits to requirements for enrolment;
School admits OWWA-referred scholars and issues confirmation slip
of enrolment to scholar for submission to OWWA-RO;
OWWA-RO processes tuition fees and pays directly to school;
OWWA-RO releases remaining balance of financial assistance (if there
is any) to scholar upon submission of grades; and
OWWA-RO monitors performance of scholars and regularly (three weeks
after each semester / term or as the Central Office requires) provides
reports to the Regional Operations Coordinating Center and regularly
request for the funding requirement.
3) Seafarers' Upgrading Program (SUP)
The program intends to provide job-related skills training in priority
maritime courses identified by the Maritime Training Council (MTC),
designed to upgrade knowledge and skills, develop expertise and update
skills in accordance with technological advancements and international
maritime standards.
3.1. Nature of Grant
The Seafarers Upgrading Program shall be in a form of training assistance
with OWWA assuming training cost ranging from P1,200 to a maximum
of P7,500 (inclusive of the meal and transportation allowances, in
the case of trainees referred at NMP).
3.2. Course Offerings
The program shall include scholarships in courses relevant to identified
skills needed in the international maritime market, such as:
Advanced Safety Courses
Advanced Training in Firefighting
Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boat
Medical Emergency - First Aid (MEFA)
Tankerman"s Courses
Shore-Based Firefighting
Specialized Tankerman's Courses
Advanced Training in Oil Tanker
Advanced Training in Chemical Tanker
Advanced Training in Liquefied Gas Tanker
Marine Pollution 73/78 Annex I (MARPOL I)
Marine Pollution 73/78 Annex II (MARPOL II)
Carriage of Dangerous Goods / Hazardous Materials
Crude Oil Washing / Inert Gas System
Watchkeeping Course
Ratings Forming Part of Navigational Watch (Deck Watchkeeping for
Ratings)
Ratings Forming Part of Engineering Watch (Engine Watchkeeping for
Ratings)
Telecommunication Courses
General Operator's Course for Global Maritime Distress Safety System
(GOC for GMDSS)**
** Integration into one of the Ship's Restricted Radiotelephone Operator
Course, International Satellite Communication (INMARSAT) and Global
Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) per Maritime Training
Council (MTC) and National Telecommunications Commissions (NTC) course
program requirement.
Radio Electronics Officers' Course (REOC)
Other Upgrading Courses
A) Deck Section
Electronic Navigation System
Ship Handling and Maneuvering
Radar Observation and Plotting Course (ROP)
Radar Simulator Course (RSC)
Operational Use of Automatic Radar Plotting Aids (ARPA)
Practice of Navigation / Aids to Navigation
Basic Stability / Trim and Stability
Marine Meteorology
Safe Cargo Handling and Stowage
B) Engine Section
Electrotechnology
Auxiliary System
Steam Plant / 4-Stroke Diesel Engine
Control Engineering
Marine Electricity
Marine Electronics
Marine Refrigeration and Air Conditioning
Modern Marine Propulsion System
Hydromechanics (Hydraulics / Pneumatics)
C) Other Courses
Shipboard Culinary Course
Shipboard Welding Course
3.3. Availment Requirements
All Filipino seafarers who are OWWA members shall be entitled to
avail of the program once every three (3) contributions. Availment
may be assured upon first (1st) payment.
3.4. Documentary Requirements
Applicants must submit the following requirements:
Accomplished application form;
Seaman's Identification and Record Book (SRIB);
Pre-qualification and admission report issued by the training center;
1" x 1" photo (2 copies); and
Latest residence certificate
3.5. Criteria in Choosing Training Centers
The program shall be conducted in coordination with training centers
recognized by MTC.
As guarantee to achieve quality training, the following criteria
in choosing training centers for the implementation of the program
shall be observed:
Must have a valid training permit or recognition to offer said course
issued by MTC, TESDA, and other authorized government body;
Must have no pending administrative charge with MTC and any private
or government institution;
Must have no past record of violation of MTC or any government standards;
Can accommodate OWWA scholars based on its training capacity (classroom,
teaching staff, equipment); and
Must not be an affiliate or a subsidiary of any shipping or manning
agency as a measure of ensuring the wide reach of the program availment
among Filipino seafarers
In ROs where there are no MTC-accredited training centers / institutions
or where there are no IMO listed upgraded courses, applicants shall
be referred to and monitored at the nearest region.
3.6. Process Flow (Annex C)
Applicant secures and accomplishes application form and submits it
with complete requirements at OWWA Regional Office;
OWWA Regional Office screens applicants and evaluates application
forms and documentary requirements;
If applicant has complied with all requirements of the program, OWWA-RO
encodes, issues scholarship voucher and orients applicant on program
policies, guidelines and procedures;
If applicant has not complied with all the requirements of the program,
OWWA-RO either disapproves or require applicant to complete the requirements;
Applicant reports to training institution for enrolment;
Training institution admits OWWA-referred applicant for enrolment;
Upon end of training, the training institution (TI) forwards certificate
of completion to OWWA-RO for co-signing of Regional Supervisor and
sends statement of account;
Applicant returns to OWWA-RO to get certificate of completion signed
by the Administrator;
OWWA-RO releases certificate of completion to applicant and prepares
and processes voucher for payment of tuition / training fee.
C. REPEALING CLAUSE
All Secretariat issuances or parts thereof inconsistent with the
provisions of this MOI are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.
D. EFFECTIVITY
This MOI shall take effect immediately.
VIRGILIO R. ANGELO
Administrator
(This
information from Philippine Government's Department or Offices is
for General Public access intended to inform Filipino Overseas Workers,
their beneficiaries and other Filipino citizens, if you need more
details, please visit their website or physical office.)
