Capitol offers more slots for Paglaum scholarship

CEBU, Philippines —  The Cebu provincial government is giving out additional 157 slots for the Paglaum scholarship grant.

Vice Governor Agnes Magpale, who heads the program, said that it is the best news she has received on Independence Day. Originally, only 500 slots were allocated for the program considering a P10 million budget.

However as the screening process progressed last week, the vice governor said that they saw the need to accommodate more since there are more who need the assistance.

Governor Hilario Davide III said more students want to avail of the grant because it is for those who are financially challenged but not necessarily intelligent. The additional slots would entail at least P5 million.

The governor said that a supplemental budget will be passed for the purpose between September and October of this year. The program started in 2016 and was already able to have at least 62 students finish their studies last year because it used to accept graduating students.

At present, around 700 indigent students are sent by the provincial government to various colleges.

A total of 657 will be added to the existing scholars within this month. Each beneficiary enjoys P1,500 monthly allowance and a tuition fee assistance amounting up to P10,000.

Paglaum Scholarship is just one of the scholarship programs of the provincial government. There is also the Cebu Tertiary Education Assistance Program (CTEAP) for top performing students. Five scholars are annually chosen in each local government unit under Cebu Province.

Graduates from barangay high schools are given priority. Those who want to take up programs related to agriculture, engineering, robotics, mechatronics, and information technology are likewise preferred.

The chosen scholarship grantees will enjoy P2,000 monthly allowance and can pick any degree program so long as it is offered by a state college or university. The scholarship is also limited to undergraduate programs.

With around 255 projected number of scholars, CTEAP has a yearly appropriation of P6 million. — FPL (FREEMAN)