A barangay in Pasig City on Friday disbursed PHP500,000 to pay for the tuition fees of the last batch of its college scholars this coming semester.

Barangay San Antonio (BSA) chairman Raymond Lising ordered the release of the checks amid the difficulties faced by a number of families affected by the pandemic.

Lising said his barangay currently has a total of 110 scholars who are enrolled in various colleges and universities.

“Magkakaiba lang ng school kaya hindi din sabay-sabay ang release ng checks for matriculation (The checks were not released at the same time since our scholars are enrolled in different schools),” Lising said.

Lising said the maximum amount of check per student is PHP25,000 for this semester.

The BSA scholarship program prioritizes indigent students or students whose families lack stable income, especially now that many are struggling due to the ongoing health crisis.

“Ito ang isang programa na maganda ang maiiwan na legacy sa aming komunidad. Isa din ito sa dahilan kaya natin pinarami ang beneficiaries ng BSA College Scholarship Program, mula sa 20 scholars umabot na ng 110 scholars (This is one program where we will be leaving a legacy for our community. This is also the reason why we increased the number of BSA College Scholarship Program beneficiaries from 20 to 110 scholars),” he said.

He said education is the best gift they can give to the youth wherein they are given the chance to get a college education despite the financial constraints they now face.

“Ayon nga sa balita, maraming estudyante ang napilitang huminto sa pag-aaral dahil nahihirapan ang kanilang mga magulang na magbayad ng matrikula dahil sa epekto ng pandemya (According to news reports, a significant number of students discontinued their studies as their parents can no longer pay their tuition fees because of the disruptions due to pandemic,” he added.

During a Senate hearing in August 2021, the Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations of the Philippines bared low enrolment rate in private schools amid the pandemic.

Aside from shouldering their tuition and other fees, Lising said the scholars of BSA also receive PHP1,500 monthly allowance each, which is being disbursed digitally.

BSA is the first barangay in the Pasig to give ATM cards to scholars as it seeks to be more innovative by utilizing technology amid the pandemic.

“Sa umpisa ng school year, ang aming scholars din ay nakakatanggap ng school supplies mula sa BSA (Our scholars also receive school supplies at the start of classes,” he said.

Lising said the main requirements for students to avail of the scholarship in Barangay San Antonio, Pasig are: they must be bona fide and permanent residents of the barangay and must show proof of the financial capacity of their parents such as income tax return. (PNA)