Daluz wants Talisay grad as scholar

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Scholarship committee is considering accommodating in the city’s scholarship program a college student from Barangay Guadalupe, who graduated from a private high school in Talisay City, who said he cannot proceed with his college education because he can no longer afford to pay his tuition.

Councilor Jose Daluz III, chairman of the scholarship committee said that they saw something in 22-year-old Jonrel T. Mayor that melted their hearts.

Daluz said that Mayor is a model hardworking student whose determination to pursue college has overcome his disability.

Mayor has a lower limb disability and uses crutches to move around because of the uneven length of his legs.

Despite this, he worked hard to finish elementary and high school.

Daluz said that Mayor graduated from a private high school in Talisay City that offered him a scholarship.

He said it would not hurt the city to accommodate Mayor because he has so much potential.

“Lahi gyud ni syang bataa. He has the confidence,” Daluz said.

Daluz said that he personally would not mind if Mayor’s case becomes a precedent because he is willing to give a chance to persons with disabilities who want to pursue college.

Mayor’s application to avail of the city’s scholarship was initially declined because he lacks the requirement of being a graduate of a Cebu City public high school.

Scholars under the City’s scholarship program have to be a graduate of a public school in Cebu City and must be living in Cebu City.

Mayor lives in Guadalupe but graduated from high school in Talisay City.

Vice Mayor Joy Augustus Young also criticized the scholarship committee for not having the heart to consider Mayor’s plea.

Daluz said that he interviewed Mayor and was convinced of the latter’s intention. He endorsed his case to the Scholarship Committee which is expected to decide on the matter soon.

Mayor, in his letter to Daluz said that he wants to pursue his Management Accounting course at the University of Cebu but cannot enroll another semester because he has over P18,000 in debt.

“I need your help. I want to finish my study for the sake of my future because in our family, I am the one who is in college now and I want them to be proud of me despite of my disability,” Mayor said.  (FREEMAN)