Ilocos Norte’s Sirib scholarships, jointly under the Provincial Education Department (PED) and the Ilocos Norte Youth Development Office (INYDO), produced a total of 171 graduates this academic year from the Northwestern University (NWU), the Divine Word College of Laoag (DWCL), and Data Center College of the Philippines, Laoag Campus.
Sirib scholarships are divided into Academic, Young Leadership, and Community Leadership programs. All impose a minimum grade average and require 50 hours of community service from each beneficiary, as the scholarship aims to inculcate a sense of volunteerism and involvement among Ilocano youth.
The Sirib Academic Scholarship, with 12 graduates, is under the PED, while INYDO handles the Sirib Young Leadership and Sirib Community Leadership Scholarships with 28 and 131 graduates, respectively.
Six honor graduates were produced by the programs, namely Data Center magna cum laude John Jehmer Santos, cum laude Claudine Dalangay, cum laude Jerwin Ramirez, cum laude Micah Lea Corpuz, cum laude Princess Dianne Caletena, and DWCL cum laude Jocelyn Carla.
INYDO Executive Director Weenter Ventura shared that “Maibagak ngarud a magungun-od iti probinsia ti kayatna pasamaken wenno sirmata na para iti edukasion babaen iti kinasirib ni Apo Gobernadora [Imee R. Marcos] ken iti pannakikammayet ti agtutubo nga Ilokano.” (“I can say that the province is accomplishing its goal or vision for the education sector through the wisdom of our Governor and cooperation of the Ilocano youth.”)
He hopes that graduates from the Sirib scholarships do not forget their responsibilities to the province and instead choose to give back to Ilocos Norte by working and serving in the province.
“Haan tay kuma maliplipatan ti nagrugrugianantayo,” he said. (“Huwag sana nating kalimutan kung saan tayo nagsimula.”)
Both PED and INYDO anticipate another set of Sirib graduates from the Mariano Marcos State University later this year, as MMSU had already adjusted its calendar for an early June year-end.━Mizpah Grace G. Castro, PGIN-CMO
