By Annabel Consuelo Petinglay
In San Jose de Buenavista, Antique, a sum of PHP52.9 million in educational aid provided by the provincial government has benefited 8,821 economically disadvantaged college and post-graduate students.
Irish Manlapaz, head of the Antique Provincial Youth Development Office (PYDO), stated in a Tuesday interview that disbursements commenced on February 2, with each recipient receiving PHP6,000. This assistance can be utilized for procuring school supplies and meeting other educational necessities for the ongoing academic year.
Of the 8,821 indigent students who had received the educational assistance, there were 3,809 who received only on March 16 and 18,” Manlapaz said.
She added that they target to finish releasing additional financial support in June as 11,018 more students have qualified to avail of the privilege for the school year.
“The educational assistance previously was given in the amount of PHP5,000 for the college students per semester, but because of the many applicants, it’s now being released good for the entire school year,” she said.
To qualify, students should obtain a certificate of indigency from their barangay captain to show that they need assistance, a registration form, and other documents.
The PYDO personnel, through their “PYDO on Wheels,” visit the 18 municipalities to release assistance based on their given schedules.
Manlapaz said Governor Rhodora J. Cadiao initiated the education assistance program to provide opportunities for students from indigent families to finish school as she believes that education could help in the economic development of the province. (PNA)
