LA CASTELLANA – The Municipal Government here has allocated about P7.7 million for its scholarship program for thousands of “poor but deserving” students for school year 2017-2018.
Mayor Rhumyla Mangilimutan, who led the press conference at the Municipal Hall Monday, May 22, said they are banking on education to uplift the economic condition of the town residents.
Mangilimutan said that since the program started in 2014, the municipal government has produced thousands of scholar-graduates who have significantly helped their respective families.
For school year 2016-2017, the scholarship program covered 479 full scholars enrolled in various state colleges and universities in the province.
Aside from undergraduate scholars, the scholarship program also provided subsidy to 150 students in different schools and about 50 students taking post-graduate studies.
“Scholarship has been one of the biggest programs of the municipal government since the time of my father in 2007,” the mayor said, adding that the goal of the local government is to produce professionals in every family.
Citation, Thailand conference
The town’s scholarship program, particularly the College Assistance for Relevant Education System, was cited by the Department of the Interior and Local Government in Negros Island Region as one of the best practices among local government unit (LGUs) in the region this year.
To further strengthen the program, the Municipal Government tapped Central Philippines State University (CPSU) in Kabankalan City to come up with a research on its impact to beneficiaries’ employment and economic lives.
Dr. Mae Flor Posadas, CPSU director of research and external affairs, said the result of the study is vital in crafting better policies in the town’s bid to sustain its scholarship program.
It can also help other LGUs in the province in replicating the program of La Castellana, Posadas added.
Patricio Estoya, municipal scholarship coordinator, said the research paper was shortlisted for presentation during the 5th National and International Research Conferences in Bangkok, Thailand on May 26.
It is the only research paper in the province to be presented during the conferences organized by the Huachiew Chalermprakiet University in Thailand and STI West Negros University in Bacolod City, Estoya said.
“Our exposure in this international gathering is seen to bring in possible investments for the municipality or more partnerships for the expansion of our scholarships program,” he added.
World Talent Olympics
During the press conference, the Municipal Government also presented the town’s pride Lordcint Agbas, one of the country’s representatives to the World Championships of Performing Arts in Long Beach, California, USA this coming June 30 to July 9.
Agbas, 12, a grade seven student of St. Vincent High School in La Castellana, will vie at the competition dubbed “World Talent Olympics” which showcases around-the-globe talents in singing, dancing, acting, modeling, and instrumental and variety arts.
“It is of great pride that a truly La Castellana talent will be showcased to the world,” Mangilimutan said.
