Government allots P85-M scholarship fund for indigenous tribes
Secretary Domingo Panganiban, National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) chief, said P85 million has been allocated for a scholarship program for indigenous folk next year.
At least 13,100 students from indigenous communities will be given financial assistance worth up to P5,000 per semester through the National Commission on Indigenous People’s (NCIP) Educational Assistance Program (EAP) next school year, he added.
Panganiban said the NCIP scholarship program is among the main components of President Arroyo’s campaign to ensure the welfare of the indigenous folk.
“Grantees in college can receive as much as P5,000 for each semester,” he said.
Panganiban said the NCIP-EAP grants a P1,000 financial assistance worth to elementary school students, and P2,500 to high school students each year.
“We want to at least match that same level of accomplishment next year,” he said.
The government has given cash assistance to 13,154 students from indigenous tribes through the NCIP-EAP last year, he added. A report from the NCIP Office on Education, Culture and Health indicates that most beneficiaries of the program are students from the communities of the Aeta, Agta, Ati, Dumagat, Mamanwa, Ifugao, Kankaney/Appali, Manobo, Bago, Bagobo, Kalinga, Subanen and Tinggguian.
Students who wish to apply for assistance under the program must submit the following to the nearest NCIP regional, provincial or community service office:
• A completed application form,
• A certificate of tribal membership or confirmation,
• Their latest report card or transcript of records,
• A copy of the latest income tax return or tax exemption of his or her parents, and
• A certificate of good moral character and good health signed by the principal of the school last attended.
– With Paolo Romero
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