ILOILO City Mayor Jose Espinosa III initiated an educational financial assistance program that will support incoming college freshmen from low-income families to finish their studies in schools of their choice.
The program will accommodate 200 beneficiaries for school year 2018-2019. Each recipient will receive P1,000 per month or P5,000 every term.
This, after the City Council approved May 8 the ordinance providing such cash assistance.
“We would like to make education available for everyone. Some of graduating high school students decided not to proceed to college because their parents do not have financial capacity to support them. That is why the City Government wants to help them and let them know that poverty is not a hindrance to achieve their dreams in life,” Espinosa said.
Interested applicants must be a resident of Iloilo City; should have good moral character; both parents or legal guardian must have a total gross income derived from livelihood, business, occupation, exercise of profession, allotment or pension of not exceeding P220,000 per annum for the last two preceding years; registered voters of Iloilo City; a graduate of any public or government recognized private senior high school with an average of 85 percent provided without final rating of 80 percent in any subject in the final year; and must be enrolled in any bachelor’s degree courses provided by Commission on Higher Education (Ched) except courses offered at Iloilo Community College; enrolled in college or university recognized or accredited by Ched, among others.
The City Government’s Scholarship Commission will undertake the selection process. The Local Youth Development Division will serve as secretariat.
“The applicants must also pass the examination to be given by the City Government in order for them to be qualified as beneficiaries of the program,” said Councilor Lady Julie Grace Baronda, author of the ordinance, said.
The budget will come from supplemental budget, she noted.
“If the City Government finds out later on that the program is a success, we will have additional scholars to cover also those who are in second, third, and fourth year college,” Baronda said. (PR)