NEGROS Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. signed a memorandum of agreement on Wednesday, December 5, with the VMA Global College, John B. Lacson Colleges Foundation (JBLCF), Manning Companies, and scholar-grantees for the Provincial Government’s Maritime Scholarship at the provincial capitol.

A total of 20 students were granted scholarship on a “Study Now, Pay Later” scheme at VMA Global College, and 10 students were granted of the same scholarship at John B. Lacson Colleges Foundation.

The scholars will complete their academic requirements for the degree in Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation and Bachelor of Science in Marine Engineering.

The project is a tripartite endeavor of the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental, VMA Global College, JBLCF, and the Manning Companies, that benefits poor but deserving students.

As stated in the MOA, the provincial government commits to pay the tuition and other school fees of the students, the maritime schools shall provide the necessary educational inputs to the scholars, while the Manning Companies commit to handle the cadetship training onboard their vessels, and hire them after graduation.

JBLCF was represented by its school administrator, Robert Partia while VMA was represented by Romano Mariano; the respective Manning Companies were Misuga Management Services Inc., Maersk–Filipinas Crewing Inc., and Solpia Marine and Ship Management Inc.

Marañon said the provincial government is committed to provide quality education and to produce globally competitive Filipinos by providing opportunities to the less privileged and deserving Negrense youth through the said maritime scholarship.

Marañon also said that he hopes to produce more chief engineers and ship captains with the end goal of improving the quality of life of the scholars and their families.

He said that 70 percent of seafarers hired in the global maritime industry are Filipinos and it showed that Filipinos are highly trainable and possess good abilities.

The parents of the scholars were also present and expressed their gratitude to Marañon for being an instrument in providing an opportunity for their children to be able to study in college and work after graduation. (PR)