Eligibility and Entitlement
- Filipino seafarers who are active OWWA members are entitled to the program.
- A single OWWA membership contribution entitles the seafarer to assistance for one course of their choice.
- Further entitlements are available after every three (3) recorded OWWA membership contributions.
Period for Application
- Applications must be filed within ninety (90) days from the seafarer’s arrival in the Philippines for vacation or after contract expiration.
- Seafarers with three or more OWWA contributions who have not availed the benefit can still apply within five (5) years from their last seafaring employment.
Approved Course Offerings
- Courses cover three main categories: Deck, Engine, and Specialized/Safety courses, plus Culinary/Gallery/Steward Department courses.
- Deck courses include Radar Navigation, Cargo Handling, and Ship Simulator training.
- Engine courses include Marine Diesel Engineering, Engine Watchkeeping, and Electrotechnology.
- Specialized courses cover Fire Fighting, Crisis Management, Medical Care, and Tanker Specialist Training.
- Culinary courses include Bread and Pastry Techniques, Catering Management, Bartending, and International Cooking.
- Course offerings are regularly reviewed to ensure compliance with International Maritime Organization (IMO) competency standards.
Admission Requirements
- Applicants must submit proof of OWWA membership, an accomplished application form, Seaman’s Identification and Record Book (SIRB), pre-qualification and admission report from the training institution, two copies of 1x1 photo, and latest Community Tax Certificate.
Qualifications of Training Centers
- Training centers must have valid permits issued by authorized bodies such as Maritime Training Council (MTC), TESDA, or CHED.
- Centers must have no pending administrative cases or previous violations.
- Must possess proper curricula, facilities, and equipment for maritime courses.
- All government-accredited centers meeting these criteria qualify under the program.
- RWOs prepare and provide lists of qualified institutions to applicants.
- Applicants may freely choose preferred training centers and courses from the provided list.
Application Process Flow
- Applicant obtains and completes the application form and submits required documents to Regional Welfare Office (RWO).
- RWO screens eligibility and documents, issues scholarship voucher, and conducts orientation.
- Applicant enrolls and attends training at chosen center.
- Upon completion, training center submits statement of account and Certificate of Completion to RWO.
- RWO co-signs certificate, releases it to the applicant, and processes payment for tuition/training fees.
- Applicants in RWOs without accredited centers are referred to the nearest accredited RWO.
- Applications for courses at NMP Tacloban are processed by the RWO where the seafarer originally applied.
Centralized Monitoring and Avoidance of Double Availment
- Membership Processing Center (MPC) acts as initial clearing house to monitor program availment and prevent duplication.
- Eventually, the Management Information System (MIS) will assume this clearing function.
- Verification is conducted through electronic mail and MPC issues Certification of Availment or Non-Availment electronically.
Repealing Clause
- All previous Secretariats’ issuances inconsistent with this memorandum of instructions are repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.
Effectivity
- The memorandum took effect immediately upon adoption on January 20, 2007.