Hike in city’s scholarship funds proposed

The City Council, during last Monday’s regular session, approved on first reading a proposed ordinance amending certain portions of Ordinance No. 116, series of 2019 which provides for the city government’s college education financial assistance grant program to students.

The ordinance was authored by Vice Mayor Faustino A. Olowan states that the proposed increase in the stipend given to the beneficiaries per semester and the increase in the funds that will be earmarked for the purpose is to allow beneficiaries to cope with the increasing cost of living and education expenses.

Under the proposed ordinance, there shall be a college education financial assistance grant in the amount of P10,000 from the previous P6,000 each to poor and deserving students every semester per schoolyear who are enrolled in schools within the city, provided that they pass all their subjects.

Further, learners who are enrolled in technical and vocational courses or programs are likewise covered by the ordinance.

The ordinance adds that the amount of P20 million shall be added and allocated in the 2023 executive budget to fund the college education financial assistance grant program from the earlier appropriation of P10 million.

The ordinance claims that every year the necessary budget shall be included in the executive budget with an increase of P5 million upon the approval of the City Council.

The ordinance stipulates that the additional amount shall be used in anticipation of the increasing number of beneficiaries of the program.

The ordinance tasks the Committee on Education, Culture and Historical Research to refine the existing implementing guidelines of the measure for easy access to the program within 2 months from its approval and thereafter be tabled for discussion with the local legislative body for concurrence and to the City Mayor for approval. – Dexter A. See