Mayor Ogena elated after SP Oks Expanded City’s Scholarship Program
Koronadal City Mayor Eliordo U. Ogena expresses elation over the approval of the new and expanded scholarship ordinance entitled “An Ordinance Establishing an Expanded Scholarship Program in the City of Koronadal, which shall be called “Iskolar ng Koronadal-Kabugwason Paglaum Program”, Providing Funds Therefor, and for Other Purposes”, authored by Councilor Ma. Ester Marin-Catorce, Chairman of the Committee on Education.
In a recent “Talakayan sa City Hall”, Mayor Ogena said that he is glad that the Sangguniang Panlungsod has finally approved his request to amend the city’s scholarship program.
“I am happy because, first, there will be a lot of qualified students who will greatly benefit from this program, especially now that the amount for the scholarship grant has been increased”, Ogena chimed excitedly.
The chief executive was also delighted with the substantial changes in the ordinance, which he highlighted.
“I am also happy because the selection process has also been changed. This was patterned in the Paglaum Kabugwason Scholarship of the Province. With these changes, the politicians will now be insulated from pressures as there are sectoral representatives who will be responsible for choosing the deserving scholars, and for me, that is a substantial change that will further strengthen our scholarship program.”
Earlier, the chief executive underscored that it is very necessary to keep political figures out of the selection process to ensure fairness and objectivity and that our scholarship program should not be an instrument of patronage politics but to empower the people, especially the poor but deserving students.
Meanwhile, based on the newly approved ordinance, the scholarship grant shall be distributed in the following categories: regular, irregular, and special scholars.
For the regular scholar, a total of twenty-seven (27) grantees per school year, or at least one (1) for every barangay, shall be granted a scholarship, and an additional fifteen (15) slots shall be allotted for qualified applicants regardless of their barangay of residency, based on the order of priority.
The slots for irregular scholars shall be made available when vacated by a regular or special scholar in the applicable year level. Priority shall be given to qualified applicants from the same barangay or category.
The special scholars who belong to the indigenous people’s (IP) group, solo parent, people with disability scholar, sports scholar, or arts awardee shall be allocated at least two (2) slots regardless of the barangay.
However,the scholar shall only be granted a scholarship based on the following qualifications:
- Parents’ income must not exceed Php150,000.00 per year
- Must not be a recipient of any private or state scholarship grant
- Only one person in the family shall avail any of the scholarship program
- The applicant and the parent/guardian shall be registered voters in the City of Koronadal
- The applicant in each category must have earned the following grade requirements:
The regular scholar shall have an average final grade of 85% or its equivalent with no grade below 80% in the fourth grading period, while the irregular scholar shall have an average of 85% or its equivalent with no grade below 89% in the last semester attended.
Meanwhile, the special scholars shall have an average grade of 83%. Aside from the grade requirement, they are also required of the following:
- IP Group Scholars – The applicants must belong to IP Groups and must secure a Certificate of Confirmation issued by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples Regional or Provincial Office as proof that he/she is a member of the IP community duly endorsed by their tribal chieftain or Indigenous Political Structure Head
- Persons with Disability Scholars – The applicants must secure a Persons with Disability (PWD) Identification Card issued by the City Social Welfare and Development Office
- Sports or the Arts Awardee Scholars – The applicants must have received awards given during their secondary level of education, either in a national or international category, supported by a medal and trophy and other documentary evidences
- Solo Parent Scholars – The applicants must secure a Solo Parent ID from the City Social Welfare and Development Office.
Another significant change in the ordinance is the increased amount of tuition fees, other school fees, book allowance, and cash allowance that a scholar will receive.
Scholars enrolled in private universities and colleges for the school year 2023-2024 shall avail a total amount of Fifty-Five Thousand Pesos (Php55,000.00) and Thirty-Seven Thousand Five Hundred Pesos (Php37,500.00) for scholars who opt to enroll in state universities and colleges.
Aside from the educational assistance, tuition, and other school fees, the scholar who graduated with Latin honors shall also receive a cash award. Summa Cum Laude – Php50,000.00; Magna Cum Laude – Php30,000.00 and Cum Laude – Php15,000.00.
Meanwhile, a Php50,000.00 cash incentive and the Hon. Gregorio B. Ogoy Award will be granted to scholars who are among the top ten board examination passers.
Further, the ordinance does not only limit the scholarship grant to college students as postgraduate degree courses shall be offered for those who are interested in taking up Juris Doctor and Doctor of Medicine courses.
The qualified scholar enrolled in Juris Doctor and Doctor of Medicine shall be entitled to an amount not exceeding to Fifty Thousand Pesos (Php50,000.00) and Seventy Thousand Pesos (Php70,000.00) per semester, respectively. This amount will be allocated by the board to cover tuition, matriculation fees, and monthly stipends.
In a separate interview, Councilor Catorce said that the ordinance aims to provide accessible education to deserving and qualified residents and promote further studies that will benefit the students, their families, and the city.
“To those who are interested to enroll in Medicine and Law, there are two (2) slots each. They are allowed to enroll in private and state universities even outside Koronadal. They can also avail of the P30,000.00 review assistance should they be taking the Board or Bar Exam immediately right after graduation. They will also be obliged to have two years of return of service to the city government with pay,” Catorce explained.
On the other hand, the scholarship grant shall be terminated if the scholar has unsatisfactory academic performance (a grade below 80%) in one subject for two consecutive semesters; if the scholar has a failing grade in any subject; or if the scholar shifts courses and transfers schools.
Aside from grades, the scholarship shall be forfeited the moment the scholar is convicted in any drug-related case, violates school policies, or is proven to be a member of any subversive and/or terroristic groups or organizations.
Meanwhile, the said scholarship program has an initial budget allocation of Fifteen Million Pesos (Php15,000.000.00) which will be extended to scholars enrolled in the academic year 2023-2024. The amount shall be increased every year thereafter as proposed by the Board.
Earlier, the lady councilor expedited the approval of the said ordinance to catch up with the opening of the next school year.
She encouraged students to take the chance to apply for the scholarship program. However, she pointed out that the scholarship board has yet to meet, finalize the application forms, and decide on the date of the distribution, submission, and evaluation of the submitted forms and other requirements. They will also have to conduct the interview and validate it by visiting the qualified scholars’ respective residences.
In conclusion, Catorce assured all applicants that the selection process would be done accordingly and objectively.
“If you think you are qualified, then I suggest that you grab this opportunity and apply. I guarantee you that the scholarship board will be impartial in the selection, just like what our mayor wants it to be, free and fair for all”, Catorce said.
The city’s scholarship program was derived from the Kabugwason Paglaum Scholarship Program of the province of South Cotabato. Mayor Ogena, who was then Vice Governor, was the original author of the aforesaid provincial scholarship program.