1,000 poor Baguio studes get education scholarships

BAGUIO CITY — At least 1,000 indigent students from 128 villages in this mountain resort city passed the screening process that will guarantee them educational financial assistance.

The program is now on its eighth year of implementation.

Rep. Bernardo M. Vergara said recipients of the educational financial assistance program will receive P7,000 each per semester until such time that they will be able to complete their courses so other deserving students will be chosen to fill up the slots they have vacated.

Vergara however said the assistance will be given to the school where they are enrolled and will be deducted from their tuition for the semester instead of being personally given to them so the funds will go to their education needs and not for other purposes.

Aside from the regular assistance per semester, the lawmaker added students who will be able to maintain grades with a average of over 90 percent will be given additional incentives to inspire them to strive hard in achieving excellence in their studies and become responsible and productive individuals in the future once they finish their schooling.

The scholarship program started during the School Year 2002-2003 with former congressman now Mayor Mauricio G. Domogan at the helm having an initial budget of only P2 million. -- Dexter A. See