GENERAL SANTOS CITY–The city government has enlisted an additional 300 college scholars for this school year under its flagship Edukasyon Alang sa mga Kabus nga Residente sa GenSan or EduKAR scholarship program.
Philip Pabelic, EduKAR program coordinator, said Tuesday the new scholars comprise of applicants who passed the screening and selection process conducted by the local government, through the Alay sa Kabataang Generals Lahat ng Alaga at Talino (AKLAT) office.
Pabelic said the new scholars received last week their certificates of scholarship, which entitle them to full coverage of school fees and a monthly stipend of PHP2,000.
“All charges in the statement of accounts issued by their schools are covered by the program,” he said, adding the news scholars are enrolled in various courses in the city’s 14 colleges and universities.
In the previous school year, the city government had a total of 186 active scholars under the program, which has an annual budget of PHP15 million. At least 45 scholars graduated with bachelor degrees this year.
Mayor Ronnel Rivera said they are working on the expansion of the program next year to accommodate more “poor but deserving students.”
Rivera assured that the local government will continue to implement the program, which is backed by a city ordinance.
Rivera said the local government will continue to give more attention to education and noted that it remains among the local government’s top priorities. (PNA)
