Dependents of fallen cops to get full scholarship grant

CEBU, Philippines - Dependents of policemen in Cebu City who get killed or permanently incapacitated in the line of duty will now receive a full scholarship grant from the Southwestern University.

SWU and Police Regional Office-7 yesterday signed a memorandum of agreement to this effect following a series of dialogues.

The signatories include PRO-7 director Chief Superintendent Prudencio Tom Bañas, Cebu City Police Office officer-in-charge Senior Superintendent Conrad Capa, and SWU president Dr. Noe Quiñanola.

The 11 station commanders of Cebu City and police officers of PRO-7 were also present during the signing.

The MOA signing is in line with the ongoing Philippine National Police Integrated Transformation Program - Performance Governance System to enhance the morale and welfare of its personnel.

SWU shall grant one full scholarship to the immediate family members of the permanently incapacitated or fallen police officers.

The academic scholarship program covers full tuition, miscellaneous, and laboratory fees but does not include books, manuals, and incidental expenses that may incur by the scholar-dependent.

The scholarship will be availed until graduation unless otherwise pre-terminated in accordance with the provisions of the MOA such as getting failing marks in any subject in the course of the dependent's studies.

Quiñanola said there are some policemen who are killed or are permanently disabled in action, leaving their families helpless in pursuing further education.

He added that the scholarship program, which he described as the university's way of expanding their corporate social responsibility, will actually help the dependents of the police to continue their education at SWU.

"We believe that being partners in education, we can help the police force maintain a stronger force now and in the future," he said.

He also clarified that all the children of the fallen policeman may avail of the privilege but will be granted consecutively after the other.

"Pag-graduate nang isa, puede na sumunod ang pangalawa, if daghan og anak ang pulis," he said.

Quiñanola said that SWU also wants members of the PNP to pursue higher education, thus offering tuition fee discounts to policemen.

At present, SWU granted 40 percent tuition fee discount to all PNP personnel enrolled in graduate school and College of Law.

Bañas expressed their gratitude for the support of SWU to the PNP and further hoped for a stronger partnership with the university in their advocacy.

"This is a welcome development in our pursuit for providing the dependents of our fallen policemen the much needed educational assistance and a chance for a better future for their dependents," he said.

Bañas also requested the university officials to extend the scholarship program privilege to the dependents and PNP personnel of the entire Central Visayas.

Quiñanola said that they have to meet with the school officials and raise the suggestion in the board meeting.

"I don't see any problem with that. We cannot have a blanket authority on this," he said, adding that the expansion of the memorandum might be possible by June of next year.

The scholarship program will take effect by the opening of classes in June 2015.— (FREEMAN)