OVER 1,000 college students from Apalit town received over the weekend scholarship grants from the local government as part of its agenda to continuously develop the education and youth sector.
Mayor Oscar Tetangco Jr., who led the distribution of grants, said a total of P2,030,000 was allocated by the local government for the program, wherein the 1,015 students received P2,000 each to cover their first semester of classes.
"Last year, there were only about 600 scholars but we decided to increase the slots so we can assist more Apaliteño families in sending their kids to tertiary school," he said.
In his speech, Tetangco urged beneficiaries to maximize the opportunity given to them by the government by finishing their studies.
"We do not want anything in return. We do not even require high grades as long as you pass all your subjects. All we ask is for you to finish your studies and help your families after," he told the beneficiaries.
He, meanwhile, assured the students on the opening of the Don Honorio Ventura State University satellite campus in Apalit in June 2020 that is aimed to provide convenience and better opportunity to them.
"If the construction of the building will not be finished by June, we will look for other available facilities that we can use for the meantime," Tetangco said.
Vice Mayor Peter Nucom, for his part, asked parents to support their children not only financially but more importantly emotionally during their studies.
"I know it is hard to send our children to school but let us also consider their situation. Education is teamwork between students and their families and I hope that all of us will win in this," he said.
He also assured other Apaliteño youth that the local government, through the support of the Municipal Council, will be allocating bigger funds for scholarship grants to cater to other needy students who are not yet included in the roster.