CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — A total of 1,338 scholars of the provincial government received P5.6-million financial assistance during distribution ceremonies held at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center on July 8.
Leading the distribution was Governor Dennis “Delta” Pineda along with sister 2nd District Board Member Mylyn Pineda-Cayayab.
Of the said number, 88 are Aetas, and 256 students from Lubao town, 218 from Guagua, 55 from Sasmuan, 180 from Floridablanca, 136 from Porac, and 195 from Santa Rita town.
They are among those allocated under Pineda-Cayabyab, enrolled in various universities.
The remaining belong to indigent students from different municipalities in the province.
Governor Delta said the program is part of the commitment of his administration to help uplift the lives of the Aetas.
“Pagpatuloy niyo lang ang pag-aaral niyo, mga anak. Nandito lang ang Kapitolyo nakaantabay hanggang makatapos kayo,” Gov. Delta said.
For her part, Pineda-Cayabyab stressed the important role that the provincial government plays in the lives of the students.
“Tinutulungan natin ang mga kapatid nating Aeta na magbago ang pananaw nila, na meron pang buhay sa labas ng bundok, at tutulungan namin silang makamit kung ano man ang pangarap nilang marating,” she said.
She said the province continues to invest in education to help develop skilled and educated human resources.
Each beneficiary received cash assistance worth P4,000, while Aeta scholars who belong to the said program were given assistance amounting from P5,000 to P10,000 each to cover their semestral tuition fee and boarding house expenses.
Meanwhile, the scholars thanked the Governor for investing in their college education.
Rolan Papatco, an incoming 2nd year Medical Technology student from the College of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, expressed his heartfelt gratitude for the continuing support given by the provincial government for their education.
“Ang medicine po ay mahirap as a course and financially. Pero naging posible dahil naging bridge ko po sina Gov. Delta at Nanay para makamit ko to. Sabi ko nga wala akong karapatan mapagod dahil ang mga nagpapaaral sa ‘kin ay hindi sumusuko. Gusto ko pong magleave ng footprint na ang mga Aeta, kaya ring kumuha at magtapos ng medisina to end discrimination sa tulong ni Gov. Delta,” he shared.
The said students are part of more than 14,000 beneficiaries of the Educational Financial Assistance Program (EFAP) of the provincial government for the first semester of the year.
