Cotabato Gov. Emmylou Mendoza assured her constituents during the recent State of the Province Address (SOPA) that the provincial scholarship program for the youth will continue to help their education as long as it is necessary. Mendoza explained that since the scholarship program began, it has provided the students with a lifeline to finish the courses they have chosen. (Photo courtesy of the provincial government of Cotabato)
KIDAPAWAN CITY, Cotabato Province (PIA) -- The provincial government of Cotabato reassured that it will continue its scholarship program to help more deserving students finish school.
In her recent State of the Province Address, Gov. Emmylou Mendoza emphasized the importance of the scholarship program continuing for the future of the youth, the next generation of enablers in the province.
“[The] Provincial Ordinance 508 established the Provincial Scholarship Program for deserving and qualified students through financial assistance,” she stated.
Under the program, each scholar is provided P12,000 in financial aid annually.
Mendoza said that for the school year 2022–2023, the provincial government allotted P30 million for the scholarship program, benefiting 2,472 bachelor's degree students, 80 nursing students, and 10 law students.
Angel Lalantacon Carado, a third-year social work student at the Cotabato Foundation College of Science and Technology in Arakan, shared how helpful the scholarship is for her.
“Nakabulig sa akon ang Provincial Scholarship Program tungod sa ako isa ka member sa pobre nga pamilya,” she said.
(The Provincial Scholarship Program helped me, as I came from a poor family.)
The beneficiary scholars of the Provincial Scholarship Program got their first semester allowance in October 2023, with each of them receiving P6,000 to augment their academic expenses. (Photo courtesy of the provincial government of Cotabato)
The scholar pointed out that despite the hindrances and difficulties, particularly in the financial aspect, the program continues to help her achieve her goals.
She said the scholarship program does not only help her and her fellow scholars but, most importantly, their parents, who strive hard to make both ends meet.
Frans Aaron Duyan, a former scholar, the program became a stepping stone for him to achieve his dream.
Duyan finished his bachelor’s degree in nutrition and dietetics at the University of Southern Mindanao. Now, he is a registered nutritionist and dietician.
“Maraming salamat po kay Governor Mendoza sa pagpapatupad ng programa at sa opportunity na ibinigay sa akin bilang isang provincial scholar,” he conveyed.
(Thank you very much to Governor Mendoza for implementing the program and for the opportunity given to me as a provincial scholar.)
Aside from the scholarship program, Mendoza also disclosed that the provincial government has other programs for youth.
Over 8,000 Cotabato youth participated in the Provincial Scholarship Program's competitive examination, which was held concurrently in three locations: the Midsayap municipal gymnasium for the first district, the provincial capitol gymnasium for the second district, and the Kabacan municipal gymnasium for the third district. (Photo courtesy of the provincial government of Cotabato)
The official said that these programs are focused on training and educating youth so they can become empowered as future leaders of the province.
“Anchored on the 12-point agenda, our administration is committed to investing in the development and well-being of our young people,” she told her constituents.
Recently, over 8,000 aspiring scholars underwent a simultaneous competitive examination to avail of scholarships for the school year 2024-2025.
The province administered the examinations at three testing sites to cater to all interested youth who would like to become scholars.
The provincial government said that students from the first district took the exam at the Midsayap municipal gymnasium, while those coming from the second and third districts took it at the provincial capitol gymnasium in Kidapawan City and the Kabacan municipal gymnasium, respectively. (SJDM - PIA Cotabato Province)
