Education shapes the dreams of the youth — aspirations they work hard to achieve through their academic journey.
In Ilocos Sur, the provincial government supports these aspirations by providing bi-annual educational assistance at the start of every semester, easing the financial burden on students and their families.
One of the beneficiaries, Princess Sarah De Vera, a graduating Bachelor of Arts in Communication student at the University of Northern Philippines (UNP), shared how this support has helped her pursue her dream of becoming a journalist and broadcaster.
“The scholarship helped me tremendously because there were times when we didn’t know where to get my school allowance, since my youngest sibling is also in college,” De Vera recalled.
As a scholar, De Vera remains focused on keeping her grades up to maintain the aid that helps fund her education.
“It would be a waste of opportunity, and I also want to graduate as a scholar, so I make sure to always study well,” she quipped.
She also expressed gratitude for the additional assistance from the provincial government, on top of the Free Tuition program she already benefits from.
During the recent distribution of the P6,000 educational assistance, Ilocos Sur Governor Jerry Singson encouraged students to take advantage of this support.
“To our dear students, take this as a motivation to strive harder; your government believes in you,” Singson said.
Singson stressed the importance of academic excellence among scholars.
“We believe that you can succeed, that is precisely why we invest so much in you so study well, dream big, and one day be believers who will continue this legacy of service,” he reiterated.
Riza Retuta, an education major at the University of Northern Philippines, shared how the educational assistance inspires her to work harder and maintain her status as a provincial scholar.
“It is a means for us to buy our needs, pay for our school fees; it is a big deal for us in order to finish our studies and graduate with honors,” she said.
A total of 2,643 students received the P6,000 financial assistance from the Provincial Government of Ilocos Sur.
The payout at the Provincial Farmers Livelihood Development Center benefited students from various institutions, including 1,561 from the UNP, 704 from Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State College, 367 from Ilocos Sur Community College, and 10 from St. Paul Metropolitan College.
Recognizing the crucial role of education in shaping the future of the province, the provincial government encouraged scholars to maximize the opportunity provided to them. (CCMT/ATV, PIA Ilocos Sur)
