IRA reduction won’t stop town’s scholarship

STA. ANA — The recent P3-million reduction in the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) of this town will not stop the Municipal Government’s scholarship programs, as well as other funding allocations for civic programs and support for organizations like the local senior citizen’s chapter.

However, Mayor Rommel Concepcion said they are having a difficult time in budgeting the IRA as the P3-million reduction would mean certain austerity measures for other departments of the Municipal Government.

“Last year we were able to budget P63 million, but this year we would have to make do with P3 million less. This proves to be a difficult task since we also need to improve on salaries of workers and other benefits,” Concepcion said.

He said the reduction was brought about by the reduced revenue collection of the National Government.

“This does not mean that we will stop our different allocation programs. It only means that we have to set priorities,” Concepcion said.

“This assistance, though small, aims to give parents and students the necessary support to finish their studies. The funds would help in some expenses and I believe would be a great help in a time when money is hard to come by,” Concepcion said.

Concepcion distributed on Monday some P400,000 worth of scholarship assistance to 127 college and 146 high school students. Concepcion reported that the Municipal Government had already given P1.4 million in cash assistance.

According to Concepcion, in 2010 alone, scholars for high school now number 123 while those in college are around 436.

For 2011, an allocation of P2 million has been appropriated by the municipal government for the educational assistance program.

The Federation of Senior Citizens Association of the Philippines-Sta. Ana Chapter also received some P44,000 in cash assistance for the various programs for senior residents of the town.