Council okays fund grant for Baguio City students

BAGUIO CITY -- The City Council recently approved on third and final reading a proposed ordinance amending portions of ordinance no. 116, series of 2019 which provides for the city government’s college education financial assistance grant program to students.
    The ordinance authored by Vice Mayor Faustino A. Olowan stated the proposed increase in the stipend given to the beneficiaries per semester and increase in funds that will be set for the purpose is to allow beneficiaries cope with the increasing cost of living and education expenses.
    Under the proposed ordinance, there shall be a college education financial assistance grant in the amount of P10,000 from the previous P6,000 each to poor and deserving students every semester per school year who are enrolled in schools within the city, provided that they pass all their subjects.
    Learners who are enrolled in technical and vocational courses or programs are covered by the ordinance.
    The ordinance adds P20 million shall be added and allocated in the 2023 executive budget to fund the college education financial assistance grant program from the earlier appropriation of P10 million.
    The ordinance said every year, the necessary budget shall be included in the executive budget with an increase of P5 million upon the approval of the City Council.
    The ordinance stipulated additional amount shall be used in anticipation of the increasing number of beneficiaries of the program.
    The ordinance tasks the committee on education, culture and historical research to refine the existing implementing guidelines of the measure for easy access to the program within two months from its approval and thereafter be tabled for discussion with the local legislative body for concurrence and to the city mayor for approval.