Laoag City—As part of the province’s efforts to encourage and acknowledge the exemplary efforts of young athletes representing the province in national sports events, 18 student-athletes received their stipend from the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN) at the Provincial Capitol Auditorium.
Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph M. Manotoc who authored Provincial Ordinance No. 005-2016, also known as the Sirib Athletic Scholarship, was present to lead the stipend distribution.
The program was established to cater to underprivileged yet deserving athletes from elementary to tertiary level to continue improving their athletic skills in their chosen field, without neglecting their studies.
The Sirib Athletic Scholarship, including Sirib Academic Leaders, Sirib Community Leaders, and Sirib Youth Leaders are among the scholarships offered by the Provincial Government.
On the same day, 393 beneficiaries of the Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES) and 100 tourism ambassadors also received their salary at the Ilocos Norte Centennial Arena in Laoag City.
The recent batch of SPES workers rendered a 20-day community service which started on June 3, while the tourism ambassadors started on May 6, 2019 and ended on June 2, 2019.
PGIN’s SPES Program was awarded as the provincial and regional-level winner in the SPES and Job Placement categories by the Department of Labor and Employment - Region 1 last year. Also last year, the inclusive character of PGIN’s tourism ambassador was cited by the Association of Tourism Officers in the Philippines (ATOP). (Stewart C. Ocampo)