LINGAYEN, Pangasinan – The provincial government’s human capital formation programs under the administration of Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr. continues to benefit more Pangasinenses with the awarding of P12.5 million cash grant to 1,250 provincial scholars enrolled at the Pangasinan State University (PSU) for the school year 2015-2016.
Governor Espino rallied the PSU students, the recipients of the scholarship grants, to ‘dream and plan for their future’ and ‘invest in education’ during the ceremonial awarding rites held at the Sison Auditorium recently.
“Education is the greatest equalizer in life,” the provincial chief executive said as he pointed out that “a person’s capability to dream is his greatest equalizer.” You should dream something… and do something. Libre ang mangarap,” he added.
Citing the family, the community, and schools where education is enhanced and The Almighty as four sources of inspiration in life, Espino told the provincial scholars that: “Everything that leaders do in the provincial government is meant for you… for the benefit of the future generation.”
For the present school year, the Espino administration supports a total of 2,193 scholars, as classified: 1,250 provincial scholars; scholars under the Provincial Scholarship Fund Board (PSFB) include – 363 academic scholars, 25 National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) scholars, 12 Federation of Pangasinan Muslim Association (FPMA); and 543 scholars under the joint scholarship program of Congressman Jesus “Boying” Celeste and Governor Espino.
Meanwhile, Dr. Eusebio Miclat, Consultant In-Charge for the Provincial Scholarship Program said that the provincial scholarship program which started in 2007 during the 1st term of Governor Espino has gained positive comments from former scholars who are now successful on their professional careers.
Atty. Brian Solis from the Public Attorney’s Office of Regional Trial Court – Lingayen, a former scholar of the province, said: “It (the program) is worth and commendable of tax-payers’ money. The provincial scholarship program is my vehicle to my current success. Obviously, without it, I could have not graduated in a top-university in Baguio City given the financial condition of my family.”
“I just finished my BS Mathematics in University of the Philippines (UP) – Baguio last April 2014. I wrote this letter to express my sincerest gratitude for accepting me as scholar. I thank you for every effort you’ve done to improve Pangasinan in every way,” said Chester Santos, a resident of Tonton, Lingayen stated in his letter to Governor Espino. Santos, a DOST scholar, is now taking up his master’s degree in UP-Diliman.
In another letter read by Miclat, the former provincial scholar wrote: “The province scholarship program did not only help me finish my degree, but also brought hope to my family. May you continue the program (Governor Espino) as it touches the lives of many Pangasinenses.”
During the distribution of cash grants to the first batch of provincial scholars on March 8, Governor Espino noted that the operation of the Provincial Employment and Services Office (PESO) has been mobilized to conduct regular recruitment activities in the province to help PSU students, particularly those who will graduate this April, find employment opportunities.
With the exemplary performance of Pangasinan PESO in human resource generation, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) conferred the Best PESO award for the province for three times. The province also awaits its third national award as Best PESO – 1st Class Province Category.
Provincial scholarship grantees were from PSU campuses in Asingan – 110, Sta. Maria -110, Urdaneta City -180, Infanta – 55, Alaminos City – 60, Binmaley – 55, Lingayen – 300, Bayambang – 240 and San Carlos City – 140.
By Dexter A. See
