A productive coordination meeting between Holy Child Central Colleges, Inc. (HCCCI) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration XII (OWWA XII) kicked off on Monday, February 2, 2026, at the OWWA XII Building located at the Regional Center, Brgy. Carpenter Hill, City of Koronadal. The meeting focused on discussing scholarship opportunities and identifying action points for potential institutional partnerships that will benefit students and dependents of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).

Mr. Giovanni Gibson Docusin, Head of the Education and Training Unit, met with HCCCI representatives Merry Christine Lozada, Scholarships Officer, and Marlon Viejo, Director for Research and Community Extension Department, to discuss the details of the Education for Development Scholarship Program (EDSP), the OFW Dependent Scholarship Program (ODSP), and the Skills for Employment Scholarship Program (SESP). The discussion emphasized the qualifications, application process, and benefits of the scholarship programs designed to support the educational and professional advancement of OFW dependents.

During the meeting, Docusin explained that beneficiaries must have parents or siblings working abroad who are legitimate members of OWWA and have complied with the necessary documentary requirements and membership fees. One of the primary requirements is the submission of a valid legal employment contract of the OFW abroad. He also clarified that OWWA serves as an attached agency of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), formerly known as the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), while maintaining independent implementation of its programs and services.

The coordination meeting also opened opportunities for collaborative initiatives, particularly in conducting Community-Based Research focusing on challenges and concerns related to program implementation, monitoring of scholars, and documentation of best practices and success stories among scholarship beneficiaries. The proposal was met with enthusiasm and positive reception from OWWA XII. Additionally, OWWA XII expressed its interest in conducting Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) campaigns across HCCCI campuses for both Basic Education and College Departments to further promote awareness of scholarship opportunities.

This developing partnership reflects the shared commitment of OWWA XII and HCCCI to support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 4: Quality Education, by expanding access to scholarship programs and learning opportunities for OFW dependents; SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, by equipping beneficiaries with industry-relevant skills that enhance employability and workforce readiness; SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities, by providing inclusive educational support that helps lessen socio-economic disparities among families of migrant workers; and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, by strengthening collaboration between government agencies and educational institutions to implement sustainable and impactful programs for student development and community empowerment.

Moving forward, both institutions expressed their commitment to sustaining communication and coordination to ensure the successful implementation of the discussed initiatives. Plans include organizing orientation sessions and scholarship briefings for prospective student beneficiaries, strengthening research collaboration on program development and impact assessment, and expanding IEC campaigns across HCCCI campuses. The partnership also aims to establish a more structured linkage that will support long-term educational assistance programs and collaborative extension activities that will further empower OFW families and the academic community.