226 students in Basilan get scholarship for 2014

COTABATO CITY, Philippines - The  Office of the Regional Governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao awarded on Wednesday 226  students in Basilan with certificates of scholarship for next school year under the “Iskolar Para sa Pagbababago” program of the present ARMM administration.

The scholarship recruitment was facilitated by the ORG, which exercises ministerial control over more than 40 line agencies and support offices devolved by the national government.

The certificates of scholarship were personally awarded to beneficiaries last Wednesday in Lamitan City, capital of Basilan, by ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman, his spouse, Anak Mindanao Partylist Rep. Sitti Djalia Turabin-Hataman, Lamitan Mayor Rose Furigay, and representatives from the provincial office of the Department of Education.

The ORG will facilitate the  release of certificates to hundreds more scholars in other ARMM provinces soon, according to the office of Amihilda Sangcopan, Hataman’s chief-of-staff.

The screening of the scholars was initiated by a team led by Sangcopan and her subordinates, among them her senior staff, Mustapha Ala Jr., who had toured the ARMM provinces to interview applicants and assess their qualifications based on academic standings.

Hataman, who first sat as ARMM’s appointed caretaker in December 2011 and, subsequently, got elected as regional governor during the May polls expressed confidence that the Iskolar initiative will help in the improvement in the region’s security and economic landscape.

“Education is very important in nation-building. If we educate our youth now, we shall have a strong community of peace-loving Moro people tomorrow, “ Hataman told reporters.

Hataman said the ARMM’s scholarship program also complements the government’s peace efforts in Mindanao. - John Unson