DESPITE the blended learning setup this school year, college students in Apalit town, Pampanga continue to receive scholarship grants from the local government.

Mayor Oscar Tetangco, Jr. on Wednesday, October 28, led the distribution of P2,000 financial assistance to more than 200 students in Barangay San Juan.

The activity is part of the week-long distribution in the 12 barangays of this town, wherein a total of 2,000 students are benefitting from the program.

"Despite the unexpected expenses caused by the pandemic, we still made it a point not to realign the budget of educational programs, especially the P4-million fund for the scholarship grants because we know that they need this assistance more this time," Tetangco said.

Tetangco recalled that in the past years, the students were urged to use their grants for their travel expenses or projects.

Since they are now home-based, he urged them to use the assistance in paying for their internet bills, which has now become essential for the students' learning.

The mayor also urged recipients to remain focused on their studies despite the added challenges brought by the pandemic.

"There may be times when your room or house is not conducive for learning but make that a motivation to strive harder to make your living environment better in the future," he said.