SOME 300 students belonging to the indigenous peoples (IP) group gained access to the Educational Assistance for Indigenous Peoples’ Basic Education (EAIBE) Scholarship Program of the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental.
Just recently, the province distributed a total of P2,625,000 worth of educational assistance to said IP students.
The weeklong distribution was led by Negros Occidental Eugenio Jose Lacson, Board Member Rita Gatuslao, chairperson of the Sangguniang Panlungsod Committee on Education, and provincial and local officials.
The giving of allowances, held in the respective local government units (LGUs), was facilitated by the Scholarship Program Division, headed by Karen Dinsay, and Milina Jeruta of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), and representatives from the Provincial Treasurer’s Office.
EAIBE is one of the scholarship categories under the Negros Occidental Scholarship Program, which is a bridging program that supports IP children to finish their elementary and high school education so that they can proceed to college.
Each student-beneficiary received P7,500 each representing their allowance, which will help them with their transportation needs, school supplies and school projects.
Of the 350 student-beneficiaries, 72 are elementary students while 278 are high school students.
The distribution was held at Bagong Silang Covered Court in the town of Don Salvador Benedicto and was led by First District Board Members Araceli Somosa and Rommel Debulgado.
Lacson has earlier said that the Provincial Government is always supportive of the IPs and wants to provide them with other opportunities to finish their studies.
He also believes that IP students excel in school given the right opportunity and support for their studies.