CITY OF MALOLOS—Bulacan’s 18,000 high school, college, graduate studies, doctorate and board reviewing scholars will finally be unburdened of long queues particularly in encashing in banks their P6,000-P11,000 annual grants through usage this time of ATM Cards where they can easily and hassle-free withdraw their educational assistance funds.
Gov. Daniel Fernando distributed on Dec. 9 the ATM cards to an initial 2,046 scholars of the provincial government through its partnership with the Landbank of the Philippines.
The initial distribution is a part of a series of ATM card distribution to be conducted to the remaining 14,000 other scholars of the Capitol to complete the current 16,000 scholars while 2,000 new scholars will be provided to additional deserving Bulakenyo students.
The project between the provincial government of Bulacan is in partnership with the Landbank of the Philippines that aims to address the long lines and queues of scholarship beneficiaries in getting their checks and cashing them in the bank.
The scholars are divided into groups—each of the four districts in the province in the distribution of the checks. Fernando provides for a separate luncheon and transportation allowance of the scholars who jampacked the 4,000 seats of the Capitol Gymnasium. They have to line up again in long and hours of queue in encaching their checks.
“The future of our youth is a priority. By establishing this partnership with Landbank, we are taking a significant step toward providing our scholars with the financial resources they need to succeed academically and professionally,” the governor said.
The scholarships are given to deserving students from financially- burdened families in senior high school, college, masters and doctorate degree programs.
Catherine Aguirre-Innocencio, head of the scholarship division of the Bulacan Provincial Government said the students should have at least and maintain a 1.5 general weighted average to benefit and retain the scholarship grant.
Senior high school students and college students from state colleges and universities regularly receive P6,000 annually through P3,000 per semester while those from private colleges and universities receive P7,000 annually through P3,500 per semester. Those taking up masters and doctoral degree programs receive P10,000 annually through P5,000 per semester. Those undergoing review for the board exams also receive P5,000. Those academic scholars who graduated with honors in high school, senior high school, college, and graduate degree receive an annual P11,000 through a P5,500 semestral scholarship grant.
Also benefiting in the scholarship program of the Capitol are the children of 4’Ps, solo parents, mother leaders, barangay health workers and other under-privileged families.
Scholarship grants to Bulakenyo youth is one of the Top 10 Agendas of Fernando.
“While it is true that RA 10931 or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act ensures free tuition and other fees for undergraduate programs across all State Universities and Colleges, the provincial government scholarship provides added subsistence to students who are financially-challenged. It aims to provide support for the higher educational cost of books, school materials, projects, transportation, thesis and other related educational expenses. Educational parity has been and will continue to be a key priority for the Provincial Government of Bulacan under my term, as education has long been considered the most effective instrument for people’s freedom, as well as the most crucial aspect in eradicating poverty, empowering individuals, and increasing human rights,” Fernando added.
