Council irons out restrictive scholarship program rules

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Council moved to address disqualification guidelines that had barred some applicants from the Cebu City Scholarship Program, an action that gives hope to students and parents seeking relief from restrictive scholarship rules.

Vice Mayor Tomas Osmeña “suspended” the legislative department’s four-day workweek schedule to convene a special session, following a request from Mayor Nestor Archival dated June 24.

The mayor cited the urgency of the matter, noting the fast-approaching scholarship application deadline.

Archival’s communication to Osmeña indicated that the special session was originally intended for Thursday.

However, since the request only reached the Council at around 5 p.m. on Wednesday, it fell short of the required 24-hour notice.

To ensure compliance and allow broader attendance, the City Council instead decided to hold the session yesterday.

Councilor Mikel F. Rama, who had earlier authored a resolution urging the Scholarship Committee to lift disqualifications for deserving students, explained that the session was necessary to ensure that students, particularly those from upland barangays such as Sinsin and Bulacao, would not miss out on enrollment opportunities.

“We were trying to look for solutions to this,” Rama said, adding that the council had to act quickly to prevent qualified applicants from being set aside.

The concern stems from the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the scholarship program, which required graduates of private senior high schools in Cebu City to have completed junior high in a public school within the city.

This guideline excluded students who were compelled to enroll outside Cebu City because their required academic strands, such as STEM and HUMSS, were not offered in local public schools.

Rama’s earlier resolution pointed out that this restriction was inconsistent with City Ordinance No. 2333, which bases eligibility on residency and financial need, not on the geographic location of the school.

During the session, Scholarship Office Executive Director Shirley Otadoy disclosed that Mayor Archival, as chairman of the Scholarship Program Committee, will convene the body on July 1 to issue a special board resolution.

This will allow a one-time accommodation for students who were forced to enroll in private or neighboring schools under government vouchers because their required strands were not offered locally.

“Nag una diay mi kay tungod sa concern nga basin masirad an sila sa application,” Rama told The Freeman, noting the urgency of acting before deadlines closed.

Otadoy disclosed that even before convening the scholarship group, arrangements had already been made with schools, giving families time to complete requirements before enrollment deadlines.

“We already made arrangements with schools, and some will still accept requirements until August, so families have time,” she added.

Councilor Philip Zafra seconded Rama’s motion, adding provisions to include students affected by the pandemic.

Councilor Harry Eran clarified that the accommodation should extend beyond the 16 students who formally petitioned, covering all applicants in similar circumstances.

“Yes, yes… but let’s clarify that’s only a one time amnesty,” Otadoy emphasized, stressing that the relief measure is temporary pending permanent amendments to the scholarship ordinance.

While the concerns of the affected students have already been addressed, Councilor Rama said he will work on making permanent solutions.

“Akong trabahuon nga mabutang siya ug permanent solution,” Rama ended. (CEBU NEWS)