DAVAO CITY — A keen and determined scholar of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) – Regional Welfare Office XI is now a licensed Geodetic Engineer after passing the Geodetic Engineer Licensure Examination in December 2021 with an 80.20% rating.
Bassam Diamaoden, 25 years old, is one of the scholars under the Congressional Migrant Workers Scholarship Program (CMWSP) of OWWA. Though born and raised in Butig, Lanao del Sur, Bassam took his Bachelor of Science in Geodetic Engineering at the University of Southeastern Philippines, Obrero Campus, Davao City.
When Bassam learned about the scholarship program of OWWA from his relative, he applied and complied with all the needed requirements. Being a son of an OFW, he qualified to take the qualifying examination. His father, Macapantao Diamaoden worked as an Office Personnel in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for two years while his mother, Salmah Macabinta is a Teacher.
With strong prayer, courage and perseverance, Bassam was able to surpass all the challenges he encountered to complete his degree. “During the first year of my colIege, I primarily struggled with my speech and the language barrier as I coudn’t speak normally due to my speech impairment, but I was able to learn eventually during the following year. As a Muslim student, I was expecting to be stereotyped by some people in the university. Academic struggles were expected. I failed a few subjects, but I was able to bounce back. Thanks to the compassion and consideration of OWWA officials, I was still able to retain my scholarship until my senior year,” relayed Bassam. He added that, homesickness and being away from his family and friends were also among the most difficult challenges he encountered, but he was able to overcome with the help of new found friends and OWWA XI family.
The scholarship program of OWWA has greatly helped Bassam to reach his dream to become a Geodetic Engineer. For him, the program is an immense help to the OFWs and their families. It gives them the privilege to access higher education and obtain a brighter future. “I wouldn’t have been able to finish my college degree and become a licensed Geodetic Engineer if not because of the scholarship program of OWWA. The financial assistance I received did not only fund my college education, but it also gave me the opportunity to find a new family – the OWWA personnel whom I was able to count on during my challenging times. It is with utmost gratitude that I was able to finish Engineering course with the help of OWWA’s scholarship program. It is my prayer the agency will be more empowered to extend its program to the less fortunate dependents of OFWs,” Bassam said.
Presently, Bassam worked as a Field Engineer in one of the validation teams of the Support to Parcelization of Lands for Individual Titling (SPLIT) of the Department of Agrarian Reform in Camiguin, Misamis Oriental. The program aims to help Agrarian Reform Land beneficiaries who were awarded with a Collective Certificate of Land Ownership Awards (CCLOAs) to have individual title for their respective lands that they are occupying and tilling.
Being one of the successful scholars of OWWA is one of the greatest achievements of Bassam. He felt honored and blessed to become a Geodetic Engineer because of the scholarship program. Apart from his family, he likewise extends his gratitude to his high school teacher Nash, who became his mentor and life coach. “Now that I have my own source of income, it’s my turn to help my parents in their daily needs,” said Bassam. He added that it is his joy to give support to his family, especially now that his father ended his work overseas and opted to do farming.
Engr. Bassam is just one the OWWA scholars who are now successful in their respective careers. He encouraged the current scholars to become more persevere and resilient to surpass all the challenges they may encounter. “You should be firm and patient in traversing your journey as the difficulties you may encounter are part of your college journey. May you become the greatest pride of your families and OWWA as well,” advised Bassam.
To become an OWWA scholar, they may visit the regional welfare office located at Doors E-G, Cam Building, Monteverde St., Davao City or call the hotline number 09510523419 to know the details of the scholarship program. (By: Maricel T. Sarabillo, LCO, OWWA-RWO XI)
