Paglaum scholars to get “final aid”

CEBU, Philippines — Only the graduating Paglaum scholars will receive financial assistance for the last stretch of the academic year.

Upon Governor Gwendolyn Garcia’s assumption in office, she said that the current administration of the Province of Cebu will reconsider the continued operation of the Paglaum Scholarship Program.

This means, that the Paglaum Program may not be carried over for the following year.

This decision has caused worry among Paglaum beneficiaries who are dependent on the financial aid from the Province to sustain their tertiary education.

At present, Garcia reportedly gave the go signal to release financial assistance to graduating Paglaum scholars and reimbursement to the scholars who have already graduated and had their subsidy delayed.

This is so they may apply to get their TORs.

“I had a meeting with Gov. Gwen last Monday. She agreed to continue the Paglaum scholars but only for those who are graduating this school year. We are currently listing those students who are eligible,” 7th District Board Member Christopher “Dong” Baricuatro, chairperson of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Committee on Education said via text message to reporters.

Paglaum is a pet project of former Vice Governor Agnes Magpale and then Governor Hilario Davide III.

It is a scholarship program open to all low-income students in the province. The beneficiaries are not required to maintain a standardized academic standing.

The scholarship program currently assists 1,810 students. This year has received the biggest budget allocation for the scholarship program amounting to P20 million.

Beneficiaries are entitled to a monthly tuition allowance of P1,500 and a tuition subsidy of P10,000.

Meanwhile, the graduating Paglaum scholars have already started processing their documents for the delayed tuition subsidy with the Vice Governor’s office.

“Sa amoa man gud, this coming November 2019 mo-take mi ug board nya wala pa gyud nabayran among tuition,” Paglaum scholar Yvonne Tumbiga, 21, said.

“Mohangyo lang sad unta ko kay kami, naka-graduate na man mi, wala na man mi problema. Pero mas luoy man gud to ang naa sa ubos ba kay wa pa sila kabayri, nya naa pa ju’y chance mawala. Hope lang ta mapadayon,” Albert John Beleza, 22, also a Paglaum scholar, said.

Both Tumbiga and Beleza are Civil Engineering students from the University of Cebu.

Both have already graduated last March and are set to take the board exam by November. They are both waiting for the reimbursement of their tuition.

Baricuatro assured that the Province of Cebu will be opening a new scholarship program for the next academic year.  GAN (FREEMAN)