Paglaum scholars to be assessed

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia said provincial government will still assess the academic performance of Paglaum Scholars before deciding whether or not the students will continue to receive subsidy from the province.

Garcia assured that the province will cover all payables of graduating Paglaum Scholars. She said Capitol has already contacted the schools where the scholars are enrolled to inform them of the province’s commitment to pay the scholars’ remaining balance.

As for the rest of the Paglaum beneficiaries, Garcia said their maintaining average will have to be evaluated by the Province of Cebu.

She said scholars must earn the subsidy they are receiving from government by maintaining a high grade average.

"We should set the bar, too. Let us not lower the bar kay mga Cebuanos gud ta unya kwarta baya ni sa gobyerno. Kwarta baya ni’s mga Sugboanon. Di ni nato usik-usikan (We should set the bar. Let us not lower the bar because we’re Cebuanos and this is government money. This is the money of the Cebuano people so let us not waste it)," Garcia said.

She believes, though, that the scholarship program was born out of a specific political agenda. She recalled that even on the last days of the previous administration, the committee that screened Paglaum Scholars still accepted beneficiaries.

"Like it or not, especially katong last days na before the term ended… nahuman na ang election, duna nay giproklamar...sige gihapon ug dawat ug mga scholars (Like it or not, especially during on the last days before the previous term ended… after the elections, even after the new officers were proclaimed… they continued accepting scholars)," Garcia said.

"For me that was even a midnight deal," she added.

Her predecessor, now Vice Governor Hilario Davide III, belied the allegations, saying the scholarship program was implemented for the less fortunate students in the province.

"The scholarship was conceived for those children nga… really poor and not necessarily honor students," Davide said.

"The scholarship was established in 2016. The elections were in 2019. So how can that be politicking?" he added.

Still, he commended Garcia for continuing to subsidize the education of the scholars. He said he wishes for the rest of the scholars to have the chance to reapply to the new scholarship program under the new administration. (FREEMAN)