LUNA, Apayao – Audrey Dominique Bermudez, an yApayao student who benefitted from BFAR scholarship, graduated cum laude graduate at Cagayan State University (CSU) Aparri Campus and was recently awarded with a P20,000 cash incentive.
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-Cordillera (BFAR-CAR) gave the incentive last July 13, 2023 personally handed by Regional Director Lilibeth Signey.
The BFAR scholarship program provided Bermudez free tuition, book allowance, on-the-job training allowance, thesis allowance, and a cash stipend, which aided her to finish her course with flying colors.
The BFAR scholarship program specifically targets students pursuing fishery-related courses, with a particular focus on those from indigenous communities who meet the minimum qualifications set by BFAR. This initiative is part of the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) poverty alleviation program, providing free education to academically talented students in the field of agri-fisheries, who, in turn, will contribute to food sustainability and security.
Further, BFAR-CAR said it gives additional cash incentives to scholars who graduate with honors. A sum of P20,000 is awarded to cum laude, P30,000 for magna cum laude, and P50,000 for summa cum laude graduates.
During an interview, Bermudez expressed her gratitude for the support she received from the DA-BFAR throughout her academic journey.
Meantime, the Provincial Fishery Office encouraged students in the province to consider pursuing fishery-related courses in order to take advantage of the scholarship opportunities.
Interested students can apply for various types of scholarships, including the Fishery Industry Leaders Grant (FSP-FILG), Fisherfolk Children Need Educational Grant (FSP-FCEG), and Indigenous Cultural Communities or Indigenous Peoples Grant.
To qualify for these scholarships, interested applicants must successfully pass the assessment process and achieve a satisfactory rating in the given examination. By Jomela Dela Torre