FINANCIAL support is set to benefit Benguet students participating in skills and academic competitions representing the province in both the regional and national level.
An ordinance approved on third and final reading by the provincial board recognized financial assistance to Benguet students participating in skills and academic competitions by the Department of Education (DepEd) and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda).
Proponent Board member Juan Nazarro Jr. said students representing the province in the said competitions are further encouraged to strive for excellence and aspire for commendable activities.
Students in Benguet will be more encouraged to participate to regional and national competition in terms of skills and academic competition. There were many who would not participate due to financial reasons," said Nazarro.
Nazarro added beforehand the provincial board has given aid for students participating in sports competition and it is also rightful for students in the skills and academic competition to receive the same allowances.
"The technical skills and academic are giving honor to the province of Benguet, it is unfair if we would only be giving allowances to the sports," said Nazarro.
Within the new law, students are entitled to P1,200 when participating in any regional skills and academic competition in addition to a transportation allowance based on the actual expense from point of origin to the Benguet capitol, while P2,000 is allotted for Benguet students participating in national competitions.
Only students from the province participating in skills and academic competitions sanctioned by DepEd and Tesda are entitled to financial assistance. For skills competition this include regional skills, zonal, national, ASEAN, International, and World skills competition.
On the other hand academic competitions comprised of Campus Journalism Conference, Math and Science festival, Technolympics and skills competition in Technology and Livelihood Education, Academic Festival of Talents in different learning areas: Sining Tanghalan in Music and Arts, Tagisan ng Talent in Filipino, Socialities' Festival in Social Studies band Edukasyon sa Pagpapakatao Festival.
Prior to the commencement of the competition the students or their coaches are given at least 30 days of the regional competition and 45 days in case of the national competition to submit the list of students endorsed by the DepEd Benguet Schools Division Superintendent and Tesda provincial director to the Benguet governor.
An initial amount of P1 million to be appropriated from the general fund for the effective implementation of the ordinance.