Davao City Scholarship for College Students

The city government has allocated P45 million budget for the expanded scholarship on tertiary education program (STEP) this school year, according to Lemuel Ortonio, chief of staff of the City Mayor's Office here.

Ortonio said the budget has increased from P30 million as Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio wanted to cater to a total of 420 scholars this year.

He said Mayor Sara wanted the 420 scholars to exist until they will graduate from the institutions that partnered with the city government. They were advised that they should be disciplined and continue to strive in their studies to finish college.

In the launching on the educational benefit system unit recently, Duterte-Carpio signed a memorandum of agreement with the different institutions like the University of Mindanao (UM), University of the Philippines-Mindanao (UP-Min), Holy Cross of Davao College (DHDC), San Pedro College (SPC) and Ateneo de Davao University (ADDU).

The agreement formalized the partnership with the schools in the monitoring and development of the scholars' academic performance.

On the other hand, the educational benefit system unit will handle the various scholarship programs such as the STEP, Lumad Educational Assistance Program, educational assistance for the Airport and Sasa bombing victims and City Councilor Edgar Ibuyan's Rody Sagop Bata.

Ortonio said the educational assistance for the Lumads provide P1,500 per beneficiary. At least 60 lumads from Marilog and Paquibato districts are given financial assistance under the program.

Furthermore, he said the scholarship grant program for the Lumads and Moros who want to enroll in law and medicine courses is still open. (PNA)