Ibaan Municipality and AVE Partylist Distribute Scholarhip Grants

Tulong Edukasyon beneficiaries and their benefactors.

For a long time, the Department of Education has been keeping their statistics of number of students failing to graduate, not only from elementary, but also from college. Their drawing board would start with a ratio of hundred (100) students entering elementary with only four (4) finishing tertiary education the most. That must be one of the reasons for DepEd to implement K12 in Philippine education system.

"We are banking on these young generation's dreams. Thus, there is 
a need to support them. And hopefully, we can breakaway from 
the stigma of having low rating in terms of college graduates", 
Mayor Toreja said.

But taking a seat on other side of the table, there's actually a more pressing issue that has been slowing down getting the Filipinos educated. And that is poverty. Whatever angle and however people may look at it, it leads back to the point of facing a blank wall. And it's shadow somehow also gets in the way of Ibaan youth.

A Quarter Mile

Based on the statistics presented by DILG's Local Governance Management System, as per data collated by DepEd, Ibaan has only 25% of its total college students being able to finish tertiary education. This includes those taking up two-year, four-year and five year course. And looking deep into it, poverty remains the blocking wall for others to obtain their diploma.

 Cong. Amang Magsaysay, AVE Partylist representative, for his
part also gave away scholarship grants. With his Partylist
directly representing the education and educators sector in the
Congress, he finds it to be an imperative obligation on his part to
give his party's share.                                                                         

Weaken by the sad plight of Ibaan's educational performance, the Municipality of Ibaan implemented the program "Tulong Edukasyon" concentrating on providing scholarship grants in the form of financial assistance to deserving indigent college students who can't afford to support their schooling.

In his speech, Ibaan Mayor Danny Toreja admitted being weakened by the said rating. For such, his administration has allocated and is granting P10,000.00 every semester to qualified beneficiaries. With the help of Vice Mayor Sixto Yabyabin and members of Sangguniang Bayan, will be allocating each year certain amount for the said program so as to bridge the gap between poverty and the beneficiary's dream to acquire higher education.

According to Vice Mayor Yabyabin, Tulong Edukasyon was initially
drafted during their Executive Legislative Agenda Conference.
After being shown of Ibaan's rating, they immediately
pursued on how the said program can be implemented.

This year, the Municipality has identified 45 scholars from different barangays. Out of which, majority are incoming freshmen. College students who are already at higher year level were also accommodated.

Tulong Edukasyon Program is actually one of Mayor Toreja's Social Agenda that was created in collaboration with Sangguniang Bayan headed by Vice Mayor Sixto Yabyabin and Paul John Chua, Chairman on Committee On Education.

"We are banking on these young generation's dreams. Thus, there is a need to support them. And hopefully, we can breakaway from the stigma of having low rating in terms of college graduates", Mayor Toreja said.

"What you are receiving are not my money. Neither Cong. Magsaysay's money. You are to spend the people's money. Make a good use of it. Study hard and make Ibaan proud. This is not only for yourselves, but also for Ibaan", he ended.

Coun. Chua promised to take the lead in filing the resolution at
Sangguniang Bayan every year to secure assurance of its
implementation being the Chairman of Committee of Education.

Continued Support

According to Vice Mayor Yabyabin, Tulong Edukasyon was initially drafted during their Executive Legislative Agenda Conference. After being shown of Ibaan's rating, they immediately pursued on how the said program can be implemented. Different local government agencies attention were called to identify the possibility of allocating funds for the program. And with the increase on the municipality's revenue collection, the municipality is optimistic that they'll be able to provide continued support to deserving beneficiaries.

This was further reiterated by Coun. Chua who promised to take the lead in filing the resolution at Sangguniang Bayan every year to secure assurance of its implementation.

AVE's Share

Cong. Amang Magsaysay, AVE Partylist representative, for his part also gave away scholarship grants. With his Partylist directly representing the education and educators sector in the Congress, he finds it to be an imperative obligation on his part to give his share.

Dr. Magnaye also gave an overview of what her school can offer.
She gave assurance to Mayor Toreja and Cong. Magsaysay that will
perpetually coordinate with them to provide updates on
the student's academic performance.

Although not specifically from Ibaan, Cong. Magsaysay still and also provided P10,000.00 scholarship grants to 26 more Ibaan beneficiaries. And every year, as he has uttered when called for some words on stage, he will be working closely with Mayor Toreja so as to keep the program running.

He also promised to remain at par with whatever the Municipality will give to deserving college students. 

And end of his speech, he compared the Philippine's Independence Day to a glimpse of better future being granted to scholars.

"Today is Independence Day. Today, we celebrate our freedom. But more than that, today is the day you get a hold in your hand the key to be free from poverty. Do not waste this opportunity. You are lucky to have this. Give importance to what you have now", he said.

A Doctor's Advice

Dr. Lumbera Magnaye, Batangas State University's President, was also invited as guest speaker to the said event. 

(From left) Cong. Magsaysay's wife, Dr. Lumbera Magnaye,
Mayor Danny Toreja, Cong. Amang Magsaysay and vice Mayor
Sixto Yabyabin.

To quote some of her words, she said "Today is a special day as Mayor Danny and Cong. Amang will be giving scholarship certificates to the special people.. To the empowered youth considered to be the hope of the nation. We heard about the youth as key of our future. (But) youth different and difficult faces and shapes of generations to come. Education gives the chance to build what was given to us. Now is it’s the most valuable thing. Without college diploma its difficult to find a job and make it difficult to cope with rising cost and competition. So I ask you scholars, cherish the opportunity that is given to you now.

Dr. Magnaye also gave an overview of what her school can offer. She gave assurance to Mayor Toreja and Cong. Magsaysay that will perpetually coordinate with them to provide updates on the student's academic performance.

One of the beneficiaries receiving her Certificate of Recognition as Tulong
Edukasyon Grantee.

And that BSU will surely serve as the scholars' second home.

Passing Mark

The students may have seen a sigh of relief receiving said scholarship grants. However, the grant comes along with the responsibility of acquiring and maintaining a grade of 2.5 or 83%. A mechanism will be set up to to check on the progress of the student during the duration of the scholarship.

The students on the other hand will have the discretion to choose what school they'll attend. On the condition that they will inform the Office of the Mayor for proper coordination with the school.

The Tulong Edukasyon grantees are the following:

Tulong Edukasyoon Grantees' proud parents with their benefactors.

Ibaan Municipality Scholars
1    Agravante, Richel T.
2    Anastacio, Julie Anne R.
3    Andal, Bryan S.
4    Bagui, Marjorie A.
5    Banawa, Abegail M.
6    Bathan, Diannara M.
7    Bathan, Roldan V.
8    Bruel, Emilyn E.
9    Bueno, Pamela Camille T.
10    Cabatay, Paul Jasper D.
11    Catapia, Angelica C.
12    De Castro, Imee
13    De Leon, Mirah Kristel V.
14    Esguerra, Jessa Marie
15    Gomez, Joanne E.
16    Guerra, Kristine Anne M.
17    Guerra, Wilma C.
18    Hernandez, Jessica
19    Javier, Krizzia R.
20    Jimenez, Justine Rowe M.
21    Loizaga, John Carlo
22    Magnaye, Juvy Anne R.
23    Moncawe, Michael V.
24    Portugal, Apolinario A.
25    Portus, April J.
26    Punzalan, Laarni Luzette T.
27    Quinay, Christine C.
28    Quinere, Aileen D.
29    Rabino Jr., Ernesto J.
30    Rabino, Neil Anthony V.
31    Ramos, Charmaine R.
32    Ramos, Maycel R.
33    Real, Cristy R.
34    Real, Jaycel M.
35    Sabillo, Dianne G.
36    San Jose, Jada Kate R.
37    Semira, Princess Jane D.
38    Sierra, Maryknoll L.
39    Tabuco, Mary Anne Joy P.
40    Tanyag, Erika M.
41    Tenorio, John Albert L.
42    Tiemsim, Mae Ann P.
43    Torres, Regine R.
44    Uri, Tristan Von R.
45    Villones, Marjay S.

AVE Partylist Scholars

1    Arpon, Desiree P.
2    Bautista, Maricris T.
3    De Castro, Mickee Nicole V.
4    De Castro, Razel B.
5    Delgado, Merelyn A.
6    Dingle, Jessica N.
7    Duno, Arrah Mae D.
8    Fortus, Kaye Ann A.
9    Guerra, Diane P.
10    Hernandez, Precy D.
11    Locaba, Sheila M.
12    Loterte, Sonny B.
13    Madlangbayan, Christelle M.
14    Maputi, Ma. Rhonabel A.
15    Mendoza, Jenny V.
16    Montalbo, Jomari B.
17    Ongjoco, Lenz Jefferson P.
18    Patalay, Marrien M.
19    Perez, Abegail H.
20    Perez, Romar P.
21    Ramos, Joy Anne T.
22    Reyes, Alvin G.
23    Reyes, Drandel Arlen P.
24    Sumalabe, Kristine Ivy M.
25    Tibayan, Jennifer G.
26    Valencia, Arjay B.

More photos at:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.157181067685015.38166.116964518373337
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.157170804352708.38162.116964518373337
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.157166734353115.38160.116964518373337