In June 2010, prior to his assumption into office as the newly-elected Representative of the Lone District of Marinduque, Congressman Allan Q. Velasco addressed the matter concerning scholarships for local college students.
This came in amid talks during the election campagn period that Marinduque colleges could face decreases in the number of college students enrolling in the second semester. 
Over a thousand college students were granted financial assistance under the congressman’s Velasco Achievers (VA) program with various sponsors and benefactors immediately responding to support the VA program. 
Based on official data from the Marinduque State College (MSC), released by the Office of the Registrar the student population, contrary to apparently contrived fears, increased by 25% this year. 
A look at MSC records shows that during the 1st semester of school year 2009-2010 the said college recorded 3,679 students which slightly decreased during the second semester 2009-2010 with the figures down at 3,668. By the first semester of the school year 2010-2011 the figures remarkably went up to 4,585 showing a significant 25% increase.
Congressman Velasco also conveyed to the students that he would continue to address the needs of the youth in the six municipalities. This would not be limited to the scholarship program, he said, but entailed finding jobs for graduates enabling them to also help their families.
Velasco also expressed confidence that no less than 2,000 scholars would benefit from the Velasco Achievers program by second semester this year. Erick Abad, Velasco’s chief of staff for Marinduque Affairs has been designated as coordinator of the scholarship program.
(Photos above show Velasco and staff headed by chief-of-staff Erick Abad, with the help of local leaders (like former Mayor Ofelia S. Madrigal of Buenavista and Vice-Mayor Bel Balitaan of Gasan), providing assistance to college students in the towns of Torrijos, Buenavista and Gasan).
