LINGAYEN- – -A total of P12 million in scholarship grants were distributed by the provincial government thru the stewardship of Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr. to 1,200 provincial scholars enrolled in nine campuses of the Pangasinan State University throughout the province for the academic year 2011 to 2012.

Governor Espino urged the scholars to study hard and give their best shot as he vowed to prioritize various youth development projects that will redound to the benefit of the young Pangasinenses who will soon run the engine of leadership for the full development of the province.

The governor also took the opportunity to encourage the youth sector to pursue their education in the various educational institutions in Pangasinan.

“We have the best institutions here, especially our state universities and so I am discouraging the youths from enrolling outside the province,” he said, adding that P15 million is being allocated per year for the scholarship program of the present administration.

Erlinda C. Fernandez, provincial consultant and PSU Scholarship Program Coordinator, said the financial grant received by the scholars has increased from P3,000 to P5,000 each student per semester.

“Alam ni Governor Espino na nagtaasan na lahat ng presyo ng commodities kaya dinagdagan niya ang pondo para sa ating mga PSU scholars. Malaking ginhawa ito sa mga magulang ng mga bata lalo’t sobrang hirap magpaaral sa mga panahong ito,” she said.

Dr. Eusebio F. Miclat, Jr., over-all program field coordinator, said that the project started in 2001 during the term of Gov. Espino as congressional representative of the 1st district with 50 students from PSU Binmaley and Bayambang campuses as beneficiaries.

Dubbed as Amado E. Espino, Sr. Scholarship Program, named after the late father of the Governor who was a PSU professor during his time, the project expanded in 2006 with 100 student beneficiaries who were provided P2,000 cash grants.

During the first term of Espino as the provincial chief executive in 2007, Miclat said the program was further expanded and slots were increased to 500 with P3,000 cash assistance.

“The governor increased it again in June 2010 to 1,000 slots,” he revealed, adding that the governor ordered another 200 additional slots last year for a current total of 1,200.

Since its conceptualization in 2001, 653 students have successfully graduated under the scholarship program.

Atty. Geraldine Baniqued, provincial legal officer who represented the governor during the initial awarding ceremony, challenged the scholars to keep in mind the vision of hope that Espino wants to instill in their young hearts.

“May you continuously bear in your heart and mind the drive and desire to give back a little to the government once you graduate,” she said.

The number of scholars in nine PSU campuses are as follows: Asingan- 110, Bayambang-240, Alaminos-10, Binmaley -55, Infanta-55, Lingayen-300, San Carlos City-140, Sta. Maria-110 and Urdaneta City-180. (PIO)

Back to Homepage

Share your Comments or Reactions

comments

Powered by Facebook Comments