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| Senior Sangguniang Panlalawigan Matthew M. Manotoc distributes stipends to PGIN scholars. (Alaric Yanos) |
By Jennifer T. Pambid
PGIN-CMO
Laoag City—More than 600 scholars of the provincial government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN) received their first stipend for the school year on September 20, 2016 at the Centennial Arena here.
Senior Sangguniang Panlalawigan member Matthew M. Manotoc led the distribution to the recipients, comprising of 459 academic scholars and 200 young leaders-scholars.
Stressing that “education is a shared commitment,” Mr. Manotoc assured that the provincial government will continue supporting deserving students to finish their studies.
Graduating student Mary Tamayo of Marcos, Ilocos Norte, thanked the PGIN for the help she is getting from the program.
“Nagpapasalamat po ako sa provincial government of Ilocos Norte at kay Governor Imee Marcos dahil kung wala po itong proyekto na ito, siguro hindi ako makakapagtapos ngayong taon,” Ms. Tamayo said.
Ms. Tamayo, who is taking up BS Accounting Technology at the Mariano Marcos State University, has been a beneficiary of the program since she was in first year college.
“Malaking tulong po itong binibigay nilang stipend sa ‘kin para sa allowance ko at sa pagbili ng mga libro kasi sa kurso po namin, maraming nire-require na libro at ‘yung mga bayad umaabot sa P700. Kaya kapag may stipend na, bumibili kami ng mga libro,” she added.
Her 69-year old father, Roberto said: “Hindi ko mapapag-aral yung anak ko kung wala si Ma’am Imee [Marcos]. (Nasayaat) ta adda isuna a tumultulong kaniami a marigrigat ket agyamanak kaniana ta isuna laeng ti makabalin a mangtulong kadakami manipud idi nagbasa ti anakko.”
For Princess Peralta, the scholarship program is her way of supporting her studies because her father died few years ago and her mother retired from work due to kidney malfunction.
Through the scholarship program, her worries of not finishing her studies are eased.
A fourth year BA Communication student, Ms. Peralta said she strives hard in order to help her mother and six siblings in the future.
Under the PGIN scholarship program, students may apply for the Sirib Academic Scholarship, Sirib Young Leadership Scholarship, and Sirib Community Leadership Scholarship.
Academic scholars should maintain a general weighted average of 2.25 while the two leadership scholars should have a minimum of 2.50. Beneficiaries are also required to serve 50 hours of community service per semester.