SAN SIMON -- A total of 1,500 marginalized yet deserving students from this fourth district town in Pampanga recently received financial assistance for their education from the local government in time for the enrolment period.
Mayor Leonora Wong, who personally led the distribution of cash grants, said that each scholar received P2,500 cash to be used for their school fees and purchase of educational materials and necessities.
Wong said the local government allotted at least P7 million this year for the educational assistance of total 3,000 Simonian youth who are qualified for the program.
She said the recipients were selected based on the families' financial capabilities to send their children to school, especially to the tertiary level.
Wong also said the eagerness and mental capability of children are also taken into consideration through their semestral grades to ensure that only the deserving ones will receive the cash grants.
"We wanted to ensure that those who are willing to pursue their studies and have dreams and goals will receive assistance from the government. While I wanted to help all Simonian youth, this is taxpayers' money that we are utilizing that is why the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office keenly selects our recipients," she said.
During her speech, Wong urged the students to maximize the assistance given to them by the local government by finishing their studies and reaching their dreams for themselves and their respective families.
Wong also asked the recipients to try to give back in other ways to their communities once they fulfill their dreams and become successful.
"Someday, if you will have extra or you'll become successful, try to give back by adopting a scholar. It could be a relative, a friend or somebody you know. Try to help somebody reach their dreams just like how the government helped you," she said.
Meanwhile, former mayor Rodrigo "Digos" Canlas, who graced the distribution, also urged the students to continue pursuing their dreams and make the government's assistance an inspiration.
"During my early years, the government does not offer this kind of assistance. You are lucky that you now access to government funds so please, study well and maximize this opportunity," he said.
Canlas, who vocally expressed his plan to reclaim the mayoralty seat here, vowed to double the number of scholars should he win in the forthcoming local elections.