The Taguig City government gave P30,000 and a leadership award to a 17-year-old girl who graduated as valedictorian of her class at the city’s Science High School.
The student, Samrain Umpara, received the educational financial assistance and the Senator Renato Cayetano Leadership Award during her graduation day on April 6.
The graduation gift was given out as part of the city government’s merit scheme that grants financial assistance benefits ranging from P10,000 to P25,000 to high school students graduating with honors.
“Who wouldn’t be encouraged to study when everything you need”•from school uniforms to school supplies”•is already given for free?” Umpara said.
The city’s education projects include the Lifeline Assistance for Neighbors In-need (LANI), a scholarship program designed to cater the youths who want to pursue their dreams.
The LANI scholarship has eight types: Premier, Full, Priority, Basic, SUC/LCU, Basic Plus, Leadership and Educators Advancement and Development (LEAD) and Review.
Last July 2017, the city government of Taguig increased the allowances of city scholars which now ranged from P15,000 to P60,000, depending on what type of scholarship the student has availed of—Premier, Full, Priority, Basic, SUC/LCU, Basic Plus, Leadership and Educators Advancement and Development or Review.
Those availing of Basic, State Universities and Colleges (SUCs)/Local Colleges and Universities (LCUs) and Basic Plus scholarship types receive assistance ranging from P15,000 to P20,000 per school year.
Mayor Laarni Cayetano also expanded the coverage of the Merit Incentive Program of the LANI scholarship program by extending it to those in Basic; SUCs/LUCs; and Basic Plus scholarship types. Prior to this, only those under the Full; Premier; and Priority scholarship types enjoy the P5,000 per semester Merit Incentive.
The Merit Incentive Program is for scholars with semestral weighted average (WA) of 1.75 or higher (or its equivalent). Thus, one whose WA is 1.75 or higher every semester gets additional P10,000 on top of their allowances. This means that those under these scholarship types can receive as much as P25,000 to P30,000 every school year depending on their WA.
Additionally, Taguig graduates who are preparing for their licensure or bar examinations receive P20,000 if they are taking the law, medical, bar and board exams; and P15,000 for other professions.
The city-run Taguig City University (TCU) continues to offer free college education so high school graduates can pursue education up to the tertiary level. TCU students are also full scholars of the city since the local government shoulders all their tuition fees and miscellaneous expenses.