0523071

PRESS RELEASE
Public Information Office-City Mayor's Office
May 23, 2007

BACOLOD CITY GOV’T. UPHOLDS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

    A total of 824 students applied for the scholarship program of Bacolod City Mayor Evelio R. Leonardia through the Public Employment Services Office this year.

     The scholarships applied for are the academic; for the poor; barangay workers; and for the advancement program of public school teachers and career employees of the city.

     Mayor Leonardia has signed City Ordinance No. 386 on April 20, 2005 amending CO 102, series of 1993 known as the Bacolod City Scholarship. CO 386 establishes a more responsive and comprehensive student financial assistance and scholarship program of the city government.

     Under the scholarship program of Mayor Leonardia, scholars are provided with P3,500 transportation allowance for one semester. A total of 198 scholars were sponsored by the city government last year.

     Applicants for academic scholarship must pass the qualifying exam. La Consolacion College-Bacolod is commissioned by PESO to give the exams. A total of 230 students took the exams yesterday at LCC-B, according to Executive Assistant Moises dela Cruz, PESO cluster head. Qualifiers may choose any college or university they want.

     Scholarship for the poor, on the other hand, entitles qualified candidates to study at the Bacolod City College , Carlos Hilado Memorial State College or Technical University of the Philippines in Talisay.

     Julie Ross Dorimon, a 4^th year Bachelor of Science in Education in BCC, was very thankful to Mayor Leonardia for giving her the chance, as one of those less-privileged but deserving students, to avail of free education. “Mayor Leonardia has been an instrument in making my dream come true to uplift my family’s economic status through education,” Dorimon added.

     Mayor Leonardia has listed the scholarship program among the top five priorities in his agenda of government.