FEBRUARY 16, 2026 – During its first press briefing for 2026, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) presented important updates on funding, membership, facilities, and services. These include updates regarding the OWWA Trust Fund, the Seafarers’ Welfare Center, the Alagang OWWA Fund, scholarship programs, and other services for OFWS and their families.
As part of the “OWWA Care: Service With a Heart” initiative, the agency also announced the addition of 10,000 scholarship slots this year — the biggest addition to the program in the entire history of OWWA.
OWWA Updates on Facilities, Services, and Scholarships
On 16th February 2026, OWWA held its first press briefing for the year, with Administrator Patricia Yvonne Caunan presenting major updates on the agency’s funds, memberships, programs, and facilities.
“The OWWA Trust Fund is protected and not only protected, but it [is] growing,” Caunan stated, as reported by the agency’s official website. “Maybe this is also a testament, not only of trust, but of how they feel the ‘Care of OWWA: Service With a Heart’ since they left the Philippines [to go abroad].”
The administrator also reported a significant increase in OWWA membership, from 2 million active member in 2024, to 2.6 million active members by 2025, indicating an increase of 600,000 members.
Likewise, Caunan mentioned the continuous enhancement of the agency’s facilities, namely: OFW Airport Lounges in NAIA Terminals 1 and 3; the Seafarers’ Welfare Center in Parañaque City; and the OFW Global Center in Hong Kong.
Notably, the administrator also talked about the Alagang OWWA Fund, a new line-item budget that will support the agency’s various welfare programs.
Finally, Caunan announced the opening of 10,000 new scholarship slots for 2026, in addition to the current 15,000 slots.
“Sa kauna-unahang pagkakataon sa kasaysayan ng OWWA, ito ang pinakamalaking increase sa loob ng 43 taon (For the first time in the history of OWWA, this is the biggest increase in 43 years),” the administrator said.
OWWA’s scholarship slots are offered to qualified dependents of OFWs and seafarers. Among the agency’s scholarship programs are the Education for Development Scholarship Program (EDSP), the OFW Dependent Scholarship Program (ODSP), and the Congressional Migrant Workers Scholarship Program (CMWSP).
With the addition of new slots this year, more OFWs and their families will surely benefit from OWWA’s scholarship programs. All in all, these latest developments go in line with the agency’s direction for 2025: “Return funds to OFWs, return benefits when they feel real care from the government.”