SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union, April 19 (PIA) -- Some 700 students from the colleges and universities in the province received educational assistance for the second semester of the academic year 2023-2024 on April 19.

The distribution was part of the educational financial assistance program dubbed as “PAOwer Scholarship Program” initiated by the Office of the First District Representative Francisco Paolo Ortega V, through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), which is one of the basic social services intended for underprivileged youth.

Nearly P6 million fund was allocated for the said payout where each student-beneficiary received P8,500.

Ortega says the allowance received by the beneficiaries is a continuing support for them as they finish their studies.

“We are doing this of course we believe na kahit na most of us have access to free education and alam naman po natin na mabigat po yung daily expenses or other miscellaneous na kailangang bayaran,” Ortega said.

He assured that his office is looking for ways of funding for the extension of giving scholarships and benefits to students.

Meanwhile, Etheil Launor, a criminology student from Central Ilocandia College of Science and Technology (CICOSAT) Colleges, extended her gratitude for the assistance she has received. 

“Thank you for the opportunity to be one of your scholars and for the financial assistance which will be utilized for my tuition fee,” said Launor.

Ramon Torres, chief of staff of the first district representative, provided guidelines to the students in maintaining their eligibility as scholars.

“Kailangan nilang pag-igihan at i-maintain yung scholarship kasi this is not a right, this is privilege,” Torres explained.

Apart from the educational assistance, 117 interns under the Government Internship Program will be deployed in various local government units and national agencies in the province.

The said program has total of P6.6 million budget allocation to cover their six months salary. (JCR/MJTAB/AMB/KJCR, PIA La Union)