Out-of-school youth now included in city’s scholarship program

CEBU, Philippines —  The Cebu City Council has approved a resolution amending the implementing rules and regulations of the city scholarship program to include out-of-school youths who wish to enroll in technical-vocational courses.

Councilor Donaldo “Dondon” Hontiveros, who sponsored the resolution, said the city’s scholarship program should not be limited to underprivileged young academic achievers who finished their secondary education but should be opened to those who were not able to graduate but interested in pursuing technical-vocational education as well.

“Accessibility to education is and always has been a pressing concern of our society, and fortunately, our great City has an ordinance that can alleviate this concern, and I believe adopting the amendments of the IRR of the said ordinance can greatly help our scholars survive and finish their studies, as well as provide brighter future for their families given this new normal set-up of education,” said Hontiveros, chairman of the committee on scholarship program.

Under its amendment, even out-of-school youth or non-graduates of secondary education who want to take up technical-vocational training program may now avail of the scholarship.

“Educational scholarship should not be limited to usual academic programs, instead it must be available to all types of education and mode of learning like tech-voc training programs, thus out-of-school youth or non-graduate of secondary education may have a chance for a brighter future,” Hontiveros added.

The former professional basketball star-turned politician also mentioned that part of the amendment will be for the benefit of the orphans.

For orphans or abandoned, guardians can now  act on their behalf of the scholarship applicant provided they have the custodial rights, with parent supervision or guardianship consent over the prospect aside from a relative up to the third civil degree of consanguinity.

For scholars enrolled in state universities and colleges who opted to avail of a free higher education may now be entitled to a miscellaneous supply allowance.

Aside from that, those who graduated high school from the mountain barangays will now have an option to get a transportation allowance and/or a boarding allowance per month.

“The current online classes for scholars have been very financially draining, with regards to internet load, as a result, scholars who are residents of mountain barangays are in boarding houses who need boarding allowances to sustain their online studies,” shares Hontiveros.

For a double scholarship, the scholar may still enjoy the benefits given from the Cebu City government if the other scholarship is from a private entity. — FPL (FREEMAN)