P85-M educ'l assistance set for indigenous students
The government is set to allocate some P85 million for a scholarship program for indigenous indigenous folks next year.
This was disclosed by Secretary Domingo F. Panganiban of the National Anti-Poverty Commission stressing that more than 13,000 poor but deserving sons and daughters of indigenous people will benefit from the said educational assistance fund.
Secretary Panganiban said that the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) scholarship program is among the main components of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's campaign to ensure the welfare of the country's indigenous folk.
"The Arroyo administration aims to provide at least 13,000 beneficiary students from indigenous communities with financial assistance worth up to P5,000 per semester through the NCIP Educational Assistance Program," Panganiban said.
The Malacañang press report disclosed that the NCIP Educational Assistance Program shall grant financial assistance worth P1,000 to beneficiaries in elementary school and P2,500 for beneficiaries in high school each year.
"The grantees in college can receive as much as P5,000 for each semester," the National Anti-Poverty Commission Chief said.
Last year, Panganiban said the government awarded cash assistance to 13,154 grantees from indigenous tribes through the NCIP Educational Assistance Program.
The students who have received assistance through the program, belong to the Aeta, Agta, Ati, Dumagat, Mamanwa, Ifugao, Kankaney/Appali, Manobo, Bago, Bagobo, Kalinga, Subanen and Tingguian communities, the Malacanang press report disclosed.
The NCIP office in Western Visayas likewise reported that several indigenous peoples here have also availed of the government's educational assistance, however the number of beneficiaries was not yet available as of press time. (PIA/T.Villavert)