“Pag-isipan ninyo kung anong gagawin ninyo kapag nakatapos na kayo sa pag-aaral. I hope that you make the most out of this opportunity and I hope that you stay here in Ilocos Norte and eventually contribute to our great home,” Governor Matthew Marcos Manotoc remarked in front of almost two thousand provincial scholars during the mass stipend distribution at the Ilocos Norte Centennial Arena, Laoag City, last October 31.
Alongside Gov. Marcos Manotoc are Senior Board Member Dr. Medeldorf Gaoat, Board Member Atty. Franklin Respicio, and Sangguniang Kabataan Federated President Mr. Rafael Chua Medina. The event was facilitated by the Provincial Education Office (PEdO), Ilocos Norte Youth Development Office (INYDO), and the Provincial Treasurer’s Office.
In his speech, Gov. Marcos Manotoc assured that the scholarship program will be further improved, adding more slots in the future:
“You are considered as ambassadors in the Provincial Government and the scholarship program is one of the most popular programs of the former Governor, now Senator Imee Marcos. Thus, as one of the most important programs of the PGIN, we are further improving and expanding these scholarships. We are looking forward to having even more provincial scholars to assist next year,” he added.
93% increase of scholars recorded this 2019
A 93% increase in the number of scholars for the Sirib Academic Scholarship, Sirib Youth Leaders Scholarship, Sirib Community Leaders Scholarship, and Senior High School Scholarship was recorded this year compared to the previous years.
Liezel Cabanatan, one of the Sirib Academic scholars expressed her joy:
“First time kong maging isang scholar ng probinsiya kaya naman sobra po akong natutuwa. Kahit libre kasi ang tuition fee namin sa kolehiyo, marami pa din kaming gastusin, gaya ng libro at iba pa, kaya naman sobra akong natutuwa at labis akong nagpapasalamat kay Governor Matthew.”
In addition, Cabanatan’s mother, Mrs. Lolita Cabanatan, expressed her gratitude, “Maraming salamat sa Provincial Government sa pagbibigay ng ganitong suporta para sa aming mga anak. Dahil sa hirap ng buhay, hindi namin maibigay lahat ng pangangailangan nila kaya lubos kaming nagpapasalamat sa ibinabahagi ninyong tulong sa amin.”
Aside from the stipend distribution, the mass oath-taking of the elected officers from Ilocos Norte Debate Union, Academic Scholarship, and Youth Leaders Scholarship was also conducted.
Since 2011, the PGIN has served almost 12,000 beneficiaries through its scholarship program for youth leaders, community leaders, academically excellent students, student athletes, technical-vocational students, and senior high school students. – (Stewart C. Ocampo, PGIN-CMO)
