AN INCOMING Cebu Provincial Board (PB) member is eyeing the creation of a new provincial scholarship program to support academically deserving but financially challenged students across the province.
Malcom Sanchez, who is wrapping up his term as a Mandaue City councilor and education committee chairman, said the initiative will be among his priorities once he officially assumes office at the Capitol.
“This scholarship will be for students who are not only deserving academically, but also those whose families are truly struggling to send them to school,” Sanchez said in an interview on Wednesday, May 28, 2025.
A longtime advocate for accessible and inclusive education, Sanchez believes the power of education is transformative as it can break the cycle of poverty and uplift lives.
“Education is something that can never be taken away from you. That’s why I am truly committed to pushing this program once I assume office at the Capitol,” he said.
While the scholarship proposal remains in its early stages, Sanchez said he intends to thoroughly study its feasibility, especially in terms of budget and funding sources.
He noted the need to design a sustainable program that will not overburden the Province’s finances, but will still deliver tangible benefits to students.
“I still need to carefully study and analyze the budget and the overall scope of the program. We don’t want to start something that may not be sustainable in the long run,” he said.
Coordination
Sanchez also acknowledged the importance of coordination with existing initiatives. He said part of his groundwork will be to assess whether similar programs already exist under the Provincial Government.
Currently, the Provincial Government implements the Cebu Province–Gifts (Grant-In-Financial Tertiary Studies) Scholarship Program, which provides financial assistance to eligible first-year college students.
Sanchez said understanding the coverage and gaps of this existing program will help him craft a complementary or improved initiative that addresses broader educational needs.
The incoming board member is hopeful that Gov.-elect Pamela Baricuatro and his fellow PB members will back the initiative, which he believes aligns with the broader vision of investing in human capital through education.
As Mandaue City official, Sanchez is known for his educational reforms and student assistance programs.
“In Mandaue, I saw the real impact of supporting students and their dreams. I want to bring that same energy and commitment to the province,” he said. / CAV