‘Asikaso’ gives interest-free educational loans

To eradicate poverty in the province by prioritizing educational programs, Governor Imee R. Marcos launched the ‘Asikaso ni Manang Imee,’ a new initiative of the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte that offers educational loans to help Ilocano students pursue and finish their studies.

The PGIN – Communications and Media Office, said a total of five million pesos has been allotted for the program.

PGIN can lend up to Php 5,000 to the parents of cash-strapped but deserving Ilocano college students prioritizing those who only have one semester left to graduate in college.

The Office of the Barangay Affairs at Provincial Capitol will facilitate the application processing and the good news is that it is a microloan wherein it will be of zero interest.

The ‘Asikaso ni Manang Imee’ program has been “streamlined” so that the “process of releasing the loan to interested Ilocanos will be more efficient and convenient.”

The applicant of the loan should be the mother of the student and she should be able to present the following requirements to the Office of the Barangay Affairs: Student’s admission form from the school or enrollment form, barangay clearance, government issued ID of the applicant except postal ID.

The loan application is a first come, first served basis. Loan applications are also processed in several municipalities to reach out to Ilocanos who cannot personally come to the Provincial Capitol.

Parents who will be borrowing have at least four months to pay. This has to be implemented so that another fund will be up again for lending by October, the start of second semester of classes.

“The provincial government intensifies its support and continues to come up with program on education because it is still the number one pathway out of poverty,” said Governor Marcos.¬—John Michael Mugas, PGIN-CMO