Taguig hands P10K vouchers to high school graduates

MANILA, Philippines - The Taguig City government has started giving each of the 7,840 graduates of the city’s high schools vouchers worth P10,000 to help fund their college education.

“In Taguig, dreams do come true for those who dare stretch their arms and reach for it,” said Taguig Mayor Lani Cayetano.

Cayetano is urging the city’s public high school graduates to take advantage of grants under the Lifeline Assistance for Neighbors In-Need (LANI) scholarship program and be entitled to increased financial aid and wider coverage just by deciding to pursue higher education.

Cayetano said the now P400-million LANI scholarship fund, currently the largest of its kind among LGUs nationwide, continues to raise the standards of education among Taguigenos since its inception in 2011 by constantly enhancing its coverage and features to better meet the needs of current and potential scholars.

“We have always considered our people, especially our youth, to be the city’s greatest asset. This year, we have decided to invest in them more by increasing the amount of the scholarship fund, as well as the amount of financial aid that we will extend to each LANI scholar,” Mayor Cayetano said.

“This is why this program continues to inspire us here at the local government for the past three years. We have been recipients of enduring gratitude from successful scholars, proud parents and appreciative communities for what they themselves described as a legacy that will last for generations to come,” she added.

A total of 7,840 public high school graduates will receive education vouchers – a part of the LANI program fund –  that can be converted into cash if the student enrolls in college or university, even those outside the city, or pursue technical and vocational courses.

The amount of the vouchers had been increased by 100 percent to P10,000 from P5,000 last year, said Cayetano.

“It means that any Taguigeno with a high school diploma can choose to enroll in a wider selection of colleges and universities because the city gives the student P10,000 to do so. If that is not enough, then the scholar could apply for a higher scholarship that can pay for the entire amount,” she said.

The LANI Scholarship Program provides financial aid to Taguig residents ranging from P10,000 to as much as P100,000, depending on the type of grant availed, to help in defraying the cost of higher learning.

The financial grant can also be used to cover the tuition for post-graduate courses, law school, medicine and other similar degrees. It can also be used to fund review classes for board and bar exams.

As of date, there are a total of 38,102 scholarships processed and given to over 24,000 scholars.

Other categories under the LANI Scholarship Program include: premier/specialized schools scholarships; leaders and educators advancement and development (LEAD); review assistance program for bar and board reviewees; and priority courses and skills training.