Only 2 takers for scholarship intended for drug victims

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Vice Governor Agnes Magpale has lamented that only few have availed of the provincial government's Paglaum Scholarship program.

 A child of a drug surrenderer and a surrenderer are among the beneficiaries of the program intended for the handicapped, marginalized and poor students as well as children of drug surrenderers and dysfunctional families, Magpale, author of the scholarship ordinance, said.

"Unfortunately, duha ra ang ni-avail nga this is also intended for the surrenderers unta," she said.

The vice governor declined to name the beneficiaries for security reasons.

Magpale said the scholarship program is open to all residents of the province who wish to pursue college education but couldn't.

"We advertise baya nga this is open also for surrenderers, but mura'g di pa kaayo sila open nga mo-admit tingali," she said.

Magpale attributed the low turnout of beneficiaries to a condition under the Paglaum scholarship ordinance, which requires the beneficiary, especially the drug surrenderer, to undergo a monthly drug testing.

"They have to comply with the conditions of the ordinance otherwise they can't avail of the scholarship," she said.

To increase the number of beneficiaries this year, Magpale urged police officers through Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) Director Supt. Eric Noble to help inform the public about the existing scholarship program.

"…when they go to Tokhang i-advertise unta nila because karon June we will take in more scholars," Magpale said.

Magpale said the province set aside P10 million budget this year to send at least 70 qualified scholars or at least 10 beneficiaries from each of the seven districts, to college once the first semester opens this June.

 Meanwhile, the anti-illegal drug operations continue as five were arrested and at least P115,000 worth of shabu was seized by operatives of Cordova Police Station in a buy-bust operation on Wednesday afternoon at Sitio Kamunggayan, Barangay Bangbang.

Gerald Callino, 28, a resident of Sitio Kamunggayan, was the subject of the operation led by Senior Inspector Clemente Ceralde, Jr. He was arrested along with four others who were in Callino's house during the bust.

The others arrested were Archie Nacario, 23, a resident of Danao City; Roberto Tajanlangit, 23, a resident of Sitio Kamunggayan; Jonathan Atillo, 33 and Erasmo Sumagang, 52; both of Purok 3, Barangay Bangbang, Cordova.

The police confiscated from Callino's possession one medium-sized plastic sachet and one small sachet believed to be shabu weighing a total of 10 grams. The operatives also seized two small sachets believed to be shabu from the possession of Nacario, an alleged cohort of Callino.

Atillo, Sumagang and Tajanlangit were arrested after they were caught using shabu inside the house of Callino.— Kristine B. Quintas and Mylen P. Manto (FREEMAN)