Becoming a seafarer takes a lot of time and effort before one can succeed in a career in the sea. That’s why the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) can help you pursue your dream career if aspiring to be a seafarer but did not take a maritime-related course. OWWA offers the Mariner’s Dugtong Aral Program (MDA) a scholarship grant for engineering students. It is a bridging project for those who want to be Marine Officers, providing them with financial assistance to take the Marine Engineering course.
This program is part of the Bridging Program of the Philippine government, offering a scholarship grant for bachelor’s degree holders in electrical engineering (BSEE) or mechanical engineering (BSME) who wants to take a bachelor’s degree in Marine Engineering (BSMarE). Qualified applicants of this program can enroll in any accredited training center or educational institution to finish their bachelor’s degree. Then, qualified applicants will take the licensure exam to be marine officers.
Also Read: OWWA SUP – Seafarer’s Upgrading Program
Aside from that, qualified applicants will receive three (3) months’ worth of allowance and financial grant. So if you’re an aspiring marine officer or know someone who does, keep reading to learn more about OWWA Mariner’s Dugtong Aral Program (MDA). This article will walk you through the application procedures for the MDA program, including the qualifications and requirements. We also added some general reminders for those who wish to apply for the MDA program, so let’s get started.
What is Mariner’s Dugtong Aral Program?
The Mariner’s Dugtong Aral Program (MDA) is an educational assistance for aspiring seafarers. “Dugtong” means bridging, which is OWWA’s take on the Bridging Program of the Philippine government. It is a scholarship grant for qualified degree holders of BS Electrical Engineering (BSEE) and BS Mechanical Engineering (BSME) who wish to take up a BS Marine Engineering (BSMarE) course.
This program helps qualified applicants pursue a maritime career and become qualified Marine Officers on board ocean vessels.
Benefits
Under the Mariner’s Dugtong Aral Program of OWWA, qualified applicants who are graduates of BS Electrical Engineering (BSEE) and BS Mechanical Engineering (BSME) will receive scholarship assistance to take a BS Marine Engineering (BSMarE) degree. Qualified applicants will receive a financial grant of up to P38,120 and a three (3) months allowance worth P15,000.
On the other hand, this program will not cover the entire tuition fee of qualified applicants. It is only a supplement for various school expenses. Thus, qualified applicants should shoulder the additional expenditures if it exceeds the said amount.
Qualifications
If applying for the Mariner’s Dugtong Aral Program, applicants should meet the following qualifications:
- Must be a Filipino citizen
- Must be an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) with active OWWA membership
- Or an immediate dependent of land-based or sea-based OFW with an active membership or former OWWA members
- Relatives of OFWs to the first degree of consanguinity:
- Married OFWs- single child dependent not over 30 years old
- Single OFWs- single dependents, such as a child, sibling, niece, or nephew not over 30 years old
Also Read: List of OWWA Scholarship Educational Assistance Programs
Requirements
Here are the following documentary requirements qualified applicants should obtain for the MDA program application:
- Duly accomplished MDA Application Form
- Proof of OWWA membership (Official receipt of contribution)
- 2×2 recent and identical ID photo (2 copies)
- Proof of the most recent residency, any of the following:
- Recent bank statement, statement of account, or credit card
- The most recent electric, internet, or water bill
- NBI clearance
- Proof of relationship to OFW OWWA member, any of the following:
- For single OFWS – Birth Certificate of the sibling and Certificate of No Marriage (CENOMAR) of OFW
- For married or single parent OFWs- Birth Certificate of the child
- Transcript of Records (TOR)
- Bachelor’s degree in:
- Electrical Engineering (BSEE)
- Mechanical Engineering (BSME)
- Any of the following:
- Passport
- Record Book
- Seafarer’s ID
- A sworn statement that the applicant is not a current recipient or has no pending applications for any OWWA or government-funded scholarship program
How to Apply for the OWWA Mariner’s Dugtong Aral Assistance
Once you’ve secured the documentary requirements, you can follow the steps below for the MDA program application:
- Visit the OWWA Regional Welfare Office (RWO) that covers your permanent address.
- Secure a copy of the MDA Application Form and fill out the required fields.
- Next, submit the accomplished application form with your documentary requirements.
- Wait for the OWWA representative to contact you regarding your application.
- If the application is approved, the applicant will receive a copy of the Scholarship Agreement Form via email.
- Download and print the Scholarship Agreement Form. Sign it and have it notarized.
- Then, return to OWWA RWO for confirmation.
Do note that OWWA Regional Welfare Offices (RWO) have varying rules. So applicants should contact the designated office beforehand to book an appointment or inquire if they accept walk-ins.
Reminders for OWWA Mariner’s Dugtong Aral Program (MDA)
If you’re planning to apply for Mariner’s Dugtong Aral Program (MDA) of OWWA, please take note of the following reminders:
- Applicants will receive a reference number to track the status of their application via email or SMS.
- If the requirements are invalid or incomplete, OWWA will inform them via email or SMS regarding the invalidated or missing documents.
- If the application is approved, the applicant will get a downloadable and printable copy of the Scholarship Agreement Form to be signed and notarized.
- Returned to the OWWA RWO via a courier service a signed and notarized Scholarship Agreement.
- OWWA will announce the qualified beneficiaries of the MDA program. The financial assistance is sent via bank remittance and directly to the bank account of the student beneficiary.
- Qualified beneficiaries of the MDA program should have an active bank account in their name to receive the remittance yearly. If not, open a savings account under the name of the child or relative.
- Remember, the MDA program will not cover the full tuition fee of qualified applicants. Instead, it can use to supplement school expenses. So any additional expenditures should be shouldered by the applicants.
- Applicants will only receive the Notice of Award (NOA) once their application is approved.
- Use the NOA upon receiving it since it only has 45 days of validity. If the NOA expires, the applicant should wait for another appointment to obtain a valid one.
- The program’s beneficiaries should present the NOA when enrolling in the course at any accredited training center or educational institution.
- The eligible beneficiaries of the MDA program should have an active bank account to receive financial assistance annually.
- Applicants should contact the OWWA Regional Welfare Office (RWO) before visiting to book an appointment if necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is OWWA Mariner’s Dugtong Aral Program (MDA)?
The MDA Program is a bridging program from OWWA, which provides educational assistance to aspiring Filipino seafarers who graduated with BS in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) or BS in Mechanical Engineering (BSME). It offers qualified beneficiaries financial support to take a Marine Engineering course, helping them to pursue a career as Marine Officer. With this program, beneficiaries will receive three (3) months’ worth of allowance and a financial grant to supplement school expenses.
How to apply for MDA Program in OWWA?
For those who wish to apply for the MDA program, check if you’re eligible. If yes, secure the documentary requirements for application. Next, visit the OWWA Regional Welfare Office (RWO), which covers your permanent address. Applicants should also contact the designated office to book an appointment if necessary.
On the day of your visit to OWWA RWO, get an MDA Application Form. Fill out the form and submit your requirements to the OWWA representative. If your application is approved, OWWA will send you a copy of the Scholarship Agreement Form via email. Print the form. Sign and notarize and return it to OWWA RWO for confirmation.
Who qualifies for OWWA MDA Program?
The MDA program of OWWA is for OFW OWWA members or dependents of active or former OWWA members who wish to take up a Marine Engineering degree. In addition, the applicant should not be over 30 years old and have a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) or Mechanical Engineering (BSME) to qualify for the MDA program. For married or single parent OFW, your single child dependent can apply for the scholarship. If the OFW is single, the single dependents, including a child, sibling, niece, or nephew, qualify for the MDA program.
How much is the financial grant of the OWWA MDA Program?
Qualified beneficiaries of the MDA program will receive a financial grant of up to P38,120 and a P15,000 three (3) months allowance. However, this program does not intend to cover the entire tuition fee of qualified beneficiaries. Thus, beneficiaries should be responsible for the remaining balance if the school tuition fee exceeds the said amount.
Can married OFWs both apply for the MDA Program?
No, they cannot apply both for the MDA Program. Married OFWs who are both active OWWA members are only entitled to one (1) slot for the MDA Program.
Summary
The Mariner’s Dugtong Aral Program (MDA) of OWWA is a project that will benefit aspiring Filipino seafarers, granting them financial assistance to pursue their careers as maritime officers. Qualified beneficiaries of this program will receive a scholarship grant and allowance, which they can use to supplement school fees. Furthermore, this program will benefit many OFW OWWA members and their dependents, reducing their financial burden. So apply now and take advantage of the MDA program for those who wish to fulfill their dream as seafarers.
Contact Details
OWWA Central Office
Address: OWWA Center Building, F.B. Harrison St, Pasay, Metro Manila
Hotline: 1348
NCR Hotline: 09666250016
Reintegration Unit: 8834-0719
Website: https://owwa.gov.ph/
Email: owwacares@owwa.gov.ph