SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, Philippines— Governor Lilia Pineda on Monday distributed educational financial assistance to some 574 qualified Kapampangan students. Pineda said that education would provide the capitol scholars better edge in improving their living condition in the future, including that of their respective families. “We need to support the poor but deserving Kapampangan students to alleviate their marginalized condition through helping them finish their college education,†the governor said. The beneficiaries were public high school class valedictorian, salutatorian, first honorable mention. Each of them received P10,000. The second and third honorable mentions got P5,000; 4th to 8th honorable mentions- P2,500 and graduates of Alternative Learning System (ALS) - P5,000 each. Pineda said that the continuing enjoyment of this assistance would depend on their academic performance as they need to maintain their grades. For valedictorian, salutatorian and first honorable mention, they need to get a grade average of at least 85%; second to third honorable mentions, 80% and ALS graduates shall maintain passing grades for the semester. It was learned that the beneficiaries may lose their educational cash benefit should they obtain failing grade; drop any of their subjects during the semester and disciplined by the school authorities for violating school rules and regulations and also for unruly behavior. Pineda initially distributed financial grants to 65 top ten students and 18 ALS graduates in the first district; 270 top ten students and 29 ALS graduates in the second district; 162 top ten students and 30 ALS graduates in the 3rd district.