PRESCRIBING GUIDELINES AND MECHANICS IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE INCENTIVE PROGRAM FOR TOP 200 MARITIME CADETS

In the interest of the service and pursuant to the Memorandum of
Agreement (MOA) entered into by the OWWA as represented by the Chairman
of the Board of Trustees with the Chief Executive Officers of the
Philippine Manning Industry Associations, whereby OWWA pledges to
undertake, among others, the granting of Php30,000.00 financial
incentive to the top 200 cadets of BS Marine Transportation (BSMT) and
BS Marine Engineering (BSMarE), the following guidelines and mechanics
are hereby prescribed:

1.0 Nature of the Program

The OWWA and the Industry Associations (IA) will undertake a joint
program to address the current shortage of Filipino marine officers and
engineers aboard international going vessels through OWWA’s funding of
pre-identified education and scholarship projects aimed to augment the
capability of the national maritime industry to produce quality officers
and engineers. One of the action programs is the granting of
Php30,000.00 incentive to top 200 qualified BSMT and BSMarE cadets
undergoing mandatory cadetship program.

The incentive program is part of the education for development scholarship program of OWWA for prospective OWWA members.

2.0 Objectives

It is the general objective of the program to support the government’s overall efforts in ensuring steady supply of qualified marine
officers and engineers for the seafaring industry through provision of
relevant training, education and other appropriate intervention.

Other objectives are:

2.1 To provide subsidy to deserving marine cadets as an incentive
to further boost their moral and enhance their resolve to finish their
respective courses with less financial stress;

2.2 To enhance awareness of prospective officers and
engineers-cum-OWWA members about OWWA’s progressive role in seafarer’s
career development; and

2.3 To promote seamanship as a viable, promising, and prestigious career option.

3.0 Beneficiaries

One hundred (100) BSMT and one hundred (100) BSMarE students who
passed the Maritime School Assessment Program (MSAP) – a qualifying
examination and assessment – conducted by the IA.

4.0 Entitlement and Eligibility Requirements

Each qualified cadet, who met the following criteria, are entitled to a one (1) time Php30,000.00 financial incentive from OWWA.

4.1 Must be currently enrolled and in his second year of schooling in any CHED accredited maritime school;

4.2 Must be sponsored by any Philippine Overseas Employment
Administration (POEA) duly registered and accredited manning companies
with foreign principals/shipowners; and

4.3 Must passed the MSAP conducted by the IA.

However, students of Philippine Merchant Marine Academy (PMMA) and
the Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific (MAAP) are excluded from
this program. Students with Manning Company/Principal sponsoring their full
tuition, dormitory and either training or documentation costs are
likewise excluded to participate.

5.0 Implementing Unit

The Regional Operation Coordinating Services (ROCS) through its
Regional Welfare Offices (RWOs) nationwide shall implement the program
in cooperation with industry partners.

6.0 Implementing Mechanics

In order to ensure smooth and efficient implementation of the program, the following mechanics shall be instituted:

6.1 The OWWA and the IA shall form a Joint Committee (JC)/ Technical Working Group (TWG) to act as Oversight Committee and Secretariat for the purpose of co-managing, monitoring and evaluating the program;

6.2 The IA shall seek authorization from the CHED to make the assessment mandatory for all schools and their students;

6.3 The IA shall conduct a nationwide examination (or MSAP) and assessment of all 2nd year maritime students;

6.4 The examination and assessment shall be supervised by an
Industry Proctors and Representatives using an industry prepared sets of
examination in Math, English, Science and technical subjects in deck or
engine;

6.5 The IA shall prepare a list of the 200 passers and shall submit
the same to the Joint Committee/TWG, and the OWA-ROCS, for distribution
to all manning companies-members of participating IA.

7.0 Functions of the JC/TWG

7.1 Acts as repository of passers of the MSAP;

7.2 Formulates additional policy and guidelines in the effective
implementation of the Cadetship program for approval of OWWA
Administrator.

7.3 Acts as Coordinating body between the IA and the OWWA.

7.4 Manages administrative requirements of testing and reimbursement of the program;

8.0 Composition of JC/TWG

8.1 One (1) Representatives from the OWWA (Director of the Policy and Program Development Office)

8.2 One (1)Representatives from the Industry Associations

8.3 One (1) Representatives from Maritime Institutions and Training Centers

9.0 Process Flow

9.1 Upon instructions from the JC/TWG, IA conducts nationwide
assessment and examinations of all qualified 2nd year maritime students;

9.2 The IA prepares a list of top 200 (100 BSMT and 100 BSMarE) passers and submits list to the JC/TWG;

9.3 The JC/TWG reviews list; distributes same to manning companies members of participating IA’s;

9.4 Manning companies select preferred cadet/s for sponsorship;

9.5 Manning companies advance Php30,000 to selected cadet/s;

9.6 After graduation from cadetship, Manning companies process
contracts of cadets with the POEA including payment of $25.00 OWWA
contribution;

9.7 Manning companies submits program’s required documents thru the JC/TWG for reimbursement of Php30,000.00 to OWWA;

9.8 Joint Committee reviews and endorsed documents to ROCS-RWO for reimbursement;

9.9 ROCS-RWO evaluates documents submitted for compliance with program requirements;

9.10 ROCS-RWO prepares check/s in favor of concerned Manning company/ies.

10.0 Documentary Requirements

In order for OWWA to reimburse the Php30,000.00 to concerned
manning companies who sponsored the cadets, the following shall be
submitted by the Joint Committee/TWG:

10.1 Accomplished OWWA Application Form (2 sets);

10.2 Certification from the Joint Committee/TWG that the claims are
properly supported by documents and the cadets have undergone the
required cadetship program;

10.3 Certification from the POEA or any proof that the applicant has been processed as Cadet by the POEA;

10.4 Proof of OWWA contribution by the Cadet;

10.5 Proof of receipt of Php30,000.00 by the recipient; and

10.6 2 x 2 ID pictures (2 pcs.)

10.7 Proof of Graduation (Certificate, Diploma, etc.)

11.0 Funding Requirements

Two Hundred (200) selected maritime cadets starting from MSAP 2007
shall be given financial assistance with a funding requirements of SIX
MILLION Pesos (Php6,000,000).

The subsequent funding requirement shall be allocated after a
year’s implementation of this Program, subject to review and approval
by the OWWA Board of Trustees.

12.0 Effectivity

This MOI takes effect immediately.

Adopted: 28 Oct. 2008

(SGD.) CARMELITA S. DIMZON
Administrator