By Joel P. Mapiles / Correspondent
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO—Acting Gov. Ferdinand Labung distributed on Monday educational financial assistance amounting to at least P590,000 to 100 Ayta college students during the regular flag raising ceremony at the provincial capitol
Acting Vice Gov. Ricardo Yabut; board members Crisostomo Garbo, Rosve Henson, Salvador Dimson, Anthony Joseph Torres and Arthur Salalila, Provincial Administrator Andres S. Pangilinan Jr, Provincial Social Welfare and Development (PSWD) Chief Elizabeth Baybayan; and Provincial Treasurer Magdalena Pia Quival assisted the acting governor.
Labung said the distribution is part of the Educational Financial Assistance Program of Gov. Lilia Pineda aimed at providing basic social services and quality education to the tribesmen in the province.
Baybayan said education is the key for poverty alleviation and one important way for the Aytas to dream and work for improved quality of life.
“If they could finish their college education through the help of the provincial government, they could help their respective families and indigenous communities, then we could say that we are successful in helping the Aytas.”
The beneficiaries came from different barangays of Floridablanca, Porac and Mabalacat and were given 10,000 or P5,000 each.
Twenty-two of the students are studying at Don Honorio Ventura Technological State University (DHVTSU) main campus in Bacolor; 52 from DHVTSU Porac Campus; 21 from Mary the Queen College (Pampanga); one from Floridablanca National Agricultural School; three from Megabyte College; and one from the Philippine Rehabilitation Institute.
Aside from the P5,000 scholarship grants, 18 scholars from DHVTSU Bacolor received additional P5,000 as subsidy for their board and lodging expenses.
Baybayan said 18 Ayta scholars also had already finished their college education.
She added that most of the graduates are now reviewing for their licensure board examination.
Earlier, Pineda ordered the PSWDO and the province’s Public Employment Services Office to also conduct training courses and provide employment opportunities to the graduates.
Speaking on behalf of his fellow scholars, Brandon Sarquina, college student council vice president of DHVTSU Bacolor, expressed his gratitude to the governor, Vice Gov. Dennis Pineda and to the board members for the assistance they received.
“Magkakaroon na ng liwanag ang aming kinabukasan, mula sa bundok, ngayon ay nasa kapatagan para matamo namin ang aming mga pangarap,” Sarquina said.