The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) has released over PHP10.91 million in scholarship assistance to dependents of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Western Visayas who are recipients of its Education for Development Scholarship Program (EDSP) from January to July this year.

“Under the program, they are entitled to financial assistance amounting to PHP30,000 per semester or PHP60,000 per year,” said OWWA 6 officer-in-charge Rizza Joy Moldes on Monday.

OWWA has 151 maintained scholars under the program, which is open to dependents of active OWWA members.

In an interview on Tuesday, Moldes said they have 65 graduates for the school year 2022-2023, 14 of them are magna cum laude and 19 cum laude.

Latin honor graduates were recognized in a ceremony held on Aug. 11 simultaneous with the distribution of notice of award (NOA) to 13 new scholars from the province of Iloilo starting this school year.

“NOA is a document that will serve as proof that they are bona fide OWWA scholars,” she said.

Meanwhile, on Aug. 12, OWWA released over PHP1.37 million to 56 beneficiaries of livelihood programs, social insurance, scholarship and aid to distress OFW in a ceremony held in Iloilo City.

“No matter how small or no matter how big, this is a manifestation that your government is working hand-in-hand to better serve you, to protect you, and to uplift you,” Moldes said in her message to the recipients.

OWWA Administrator Arnaldo Ignacio and Department of Migrant Workers Regional Office 6 officer-in-charge Glenda Aligonza graced the ceremony. (PNA)