Councilors question fewer scholarship grants at TCC

CEBU, Philippines - Talisay City councilors have asked the executive department on why the city government did not grant this year scholarship to poor but deserving students enrolled at the Talisay City College.

Councilors Richard Francis Aznar and Socrates Fernandez reminded their colleagues at the City Council that P1.5 million has been allocated for scholars, under the Alay Lakad Foundation, and this fund was included in the 2015 annual budget.

“Why is it in the previous year, we did not have scholars?” Fernandez asked Councilor Dennis Basillote, who authored a resolution requesting Mayor Johnny De Los Reyes to accept new scholars for TCC. “Why did the mayor not release the P1.5-million for Alay lakad?” Fernandez added.

The Alay Lakad Foundation is one of the major programs of the city government for the less fortunate families but with deserving students. It had produced more than 500 graduates since it was implemented.

Basillote said the Alay Lakad Foundation of the city was not able to continue accepting new scholars due to financial constrain of the organization.

Aznar, chairman of the committee on education, said the scholars were receiving P2,000 per semester out of the amount raised from Alay Lakad.

Aznar said there were only 109 scholars at TCC for school year 2015-2016, a sharp reduction from 277 in school year 2014-2015, and from 425 in school year 2013 to 214. — (FREEMAN)