One of the goals of the Commission on Higher Education
(CHED), in accordance with pertinent provisions of RA 7722 the Higher Education
Act of 1994, is to broaden access of the poor but deserving Filipino students to
take up higher education through scholarships, grants and loans. Through his
Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), Congressman Lord Allan Velasco has
initiated upon assumption as Marinduque’s representative to Congress, the Leaders and Achievers of Velasco (LAV) Scholarship Program. The program provides educational assistance to poor but
deserving students from the Lone District of Marinduque.
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| Students directly receive cash payments from school authorities representing LAV educational assistance. Such funds are directly transferred to all participating schools. |
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| Envelopes with cash distributed by school authorities. |
Marinduque colleges, among them the Educational System
Technological Institute (ESTI), Marinduque Midwest College (MMC) and St. Mary’s
College of Marinduque (SMCM), on the other hand, share the same vision to widen
access of deserving students to qualify for educational opportunities. The
Office of Congressman Velasco has thus requested the Department of Budget and
Management to allocate funds to the CHED for the Leaders and Achievers of
Velasco Scholarship Program. From CHED,
funds in varying amounts are designated and transferred to the colleges
following a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), between the three parties, namely,
CHED, the relevant college, and the project initiator (Cong. Velasco). Duties
and responsibilities of the parties mentioned are spelled out in the said MOA.
Since 2011, a similar MOA has been entered into between DBM,
Marinduque State College (MSC), and the Project Initiator (Cong. Velasco). Funds
from Cong. Velasco’s PDAF are released by the Department of Budget and
Management (DBM), directly to the MSC for the implementation of the said scholarship
program. Appropriate coordination by the Marinduque Congressional District
Office with the Marinduque State College, and vice-versa, are undertaken so
that the program is carried out smoothly.
Recently, the amount of P 5.5-Million for the implementation
of this program was received by the MSC under Special Allotment Release Order
(SARO-BMB-G-12-T000003901) on September 7, 2012.
Upon the request of Cong. Lord Allan Velasco, coverage of cash
requirements of TESDA for the implementation of scholarship program for
scholars in Buyabod School of Arts and Trade (BSAT) and Torrrijos Poblacion
School of Arts and Trade (TPSAT) amounting to P 1-Million, was likewise
authorized by the DBM under SARO No. BMB-G-12-T000003905) on the same date.
Meanwhile, to promote leadership and fellowship among
recipients of the scholarship program, student clubs have been organized in schools
by the program recipients themselves. They aim to uphold the academic integrity
of their institution, endeavor to achieve academic excellence, participate in
civic affairs and become fresh, positive forces in society, among others.
