Benhur scholarships for vocational courses

CEBU, Philippines - Inspired by some scholars who are now working abroad, Cebu fourth district Rep. Benhur Salimbangon is determined to continue assistance to poor but deserving students who wish to get vocational courses.

The scholars are enrolled at the different training centers of the Technical Education Skills Development Authority located in the fourth district.

Salimbangon pointed out that scholars in carpentry are trained by Primary Structures and recently he learned that at least seven graduates at TESDA in San Remigio are hired by a Malaysian firm.

Under the Benhur Scholarship Program, Salimbangon appropriated funds through TESDA to cover the full tuition fee of each scholar enrolled in TESDA.

Salimbangon is also providing assistance to scholars enrolled in a “ladderized” program under the Training for Work Scholarship Program of then President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

These scholars are enrolled in different training institutions in the fourth district and in Metro Cebu accredited by TESDA.

Under the “ladderized” program of TESDA, courses are embedded to a bachelor course and the student could already have certificate for applying job after two years in school and it is up to them if they wish to complete the degree.

The assistance covers the whole tuition fee for the short-term programs of TESDA while the amount of P2,500 assistance to each scholar enrolled in a “ladderized” program only covers the specific course and not the other academic subject that has to be shouldered by the student.

Scholars under the “ladderized” program would exit at the end of the semester while those enrolled in the short-term program have to complete the number of hours. — (FREEMAN)