CAPITOL NEWS

Lingayen – Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr. exhorted PSU students to actively engage in the over-all efforts to spur full-growth and development in Pangasinan as he asked them to give deeper emphasis to “the pride, honor and glory of being a Pangasinense,” as he and other PSU officials awarded scholarship grants to the first batch of provincial scholars at the Sison Auditorium in January 30.

“I always emphasize that not because you study in a state university, you are not entitled to things enjoyed by those enrolled in elite universities,” Gov. Espino, who is also a product of state-run institutions, told the scholars that all individuals have the capacity to attain better economic conditions through education which he firmly believes as “the greatest equalizer in life.”

The provincial chief executive, however, deplored the intrusion of any form of politicking in a public university, stating such as among the basis of some complaints he received from people who are concerned with the welfare of PSU students.

About 776 provincial scholars from PSU campuses in Sta. Maria (150), Asingan (150), Urdaneta City (250) and San Carlos City (226) who comprise the first batch each received Php10,000 scholarship grant (Php5,000 per semester).

Distribution of scholarship grants to the second batch of grantees from PSU campuses in Bayambang (300), Infanta (75), Binmaley (75), Alaminos City (150) and Lingayen (400) totalling to 1,000 students is scheduled on February 6 at the Sison Auditorium.

Meanwhile, Dr. Erlinda Fernandez, former Chief Administrative Officer of the province and Governor’s Consultant on the Provincial Scholarship Program, noted that since 2007, a total of 1,219 provincial scholarship grantees have graduated from their respective courses in PSU; the latest addition of which is 371 provincial scholars who finished their bachelor’s degrees last year.

Fernandez said that 526 new grantees from PSU have been added to last year’s 1,250.

Paul Andrew Roa, a faculty member of PSU Urdaneta City who finished his college schooling with the support of the provincial government, admitted that the scholarship grant helped him a lot to finish his studies, considering the limited financial condition of his family.

“Nagta-trabaho ako ngayon sa isang pampublikong pamantasan at ito ang aking pamamaraan “to give back” bilang isang scholar ng bayan,” Roa said.

As of latest update, the Espino administration supports a total of 2,528 scholars composed of: 1,776 provincial scholars, 290 technical-vocational scholars, Provincial Scholarship Fund Board grantees – 386 highly-competitive college students, 59 National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) scholars and 17 Federation of Pangasinan Muslim Association (FPMA). /Mark Gerry Naval Oblanca

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