Oro gov’t, tertiary schools sign Scholarship Code

THE City Government and the various colleges and universities in Cagayan de Oro on Tuesday, May 22, signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) for a more meaningful scholarship program.

The 2018 Scholarship Code which was approved in January 8, 2018, covers a comprehensive and inclusive opportunity for the deserving and qualified students, particularly those coming from the marginalized sector, regardless of race, status and political affiliation.

The 2018 Scholarship Code, which was authored by Councilor Suzette Magtajas-Daba, Committee on Education chairperson, and the members of the City Council approved the code to address the education of students who showed exemplary academic records, but could not pursue higher education because of dire economic want.

Mayor Oscar Moreno said that education is foremost for a meaningful development of the city such that he pursued for the continuation of the scholarship program of the previous administration giving hope to the scholars to finish their college education.

“My administration does not adhere to the practices of traditional politicians that remove development programs started by the previous administration when in power, leaving the beneficiaries in quandary. Education is everybody’s right and that we will find more means to accommodate more deserving students in the future,” Moreno said.

The city is looking forward to increasing the number of scholars to 4,000 next school year.

“This is because we want the students, the beneficiaries of the scholarship program to enjoy the real meaning of public service under my administration. And produce top graduates,” Moreno said.

This year’s application ballooned to 2,046 students, but only 1,309 applicants were admitted to the program for this school year. And with the current scholars who are graduating this year, the total number of city scholars has increase to 1,504 or more than 100 percent increase from the previous 600 scholars.

All scholars will enjoy the privilege of full tuition and matriculation and monthly stipend. The city approved a P40-million budget for the program.

The participating schools of the scholarship program are the Cagayan de Oro College, Capitol University, Lourdes College, Pilgrim Christian College, Southern de Oro College, University of Science and Technology of the Southern Philippines, Xavier University and Liceo de Cagayan University.