SAN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA, Antique – The provincial government of Antique has allocated P90 million for its educational assistance program this school year 2023-2024, which will prioritize indigenous peoples (IPs).
“The educational assistance is provided so that the IPs would have some amount to support them in their schooling,” Governor Rhodora Cadiao said during the IP Day at the Binirayan Gymnasium in San Jose de Buenavista on Monday.
IP Day is an annual gathering of 300 IPs for their cultural presentation to recognize their importance in the province.
IPs belonging to the Ati, Iraynon Bukidnon, and Cuyonin live in remote barangays and can hardly pursue secondary education due to the lack of accessible schools.
“IPs are only able to reach elementary education because of the distance of the schools from their homes,” Cadiao added.
The cycle of poverty continues among their tribes due to the lack of employment opportunities in better-paying jobs because they only reach the elementary level.
The provincial government will start accepting scholarship applications on Sept. 11.
“IPs are being given priority. They just have to submit their registration form, birth certificate, and other pertinent documents,” said Irish Manlapaz, head of the Antique Provincial Youth Development Office and in charge of the educational assistance program.
Under the program, qualified college and graduate school students can receive P6,000 each per semester, which they could use for school supplies, board and lodging, and other school needs.
To qualify, IPs should not be recipients of any scholarship grants from other scholarship-giving bodies. (PNA)/PN
