ILOILO City – For 15 years now, the Uswag Scholarship, a pet program of Mayor Jerry P. Treñas since he was a congressman, has benefitted a total of 29,389 Ilonggo students in this southern city.
The scholarship did not just produce graduates but achievers as 419 of them made it with Latin honors. Of the figure, 293 are Cum Laude, 123 are Magna Cum Laude, and three are Summa Cum Laude.
Currently, there are 2,000 students enjoying the Uswag Scholarship benefits for school year 2024-2025, which include P5,000 in cash assistance per semester.
Many of the 27,000 graduate scholars excel in their respective fields, with some now professionals, including doctors, lawyers, accountants, teachers, engineers, and seafarers.
Mayor Treñas said seeing the scholars graduate and contribute to the community, especially by improving the quality of life of their families, is the greatest fulfilment of the program.
“I feel accomplished leaving the Uswag Scholarship as one of my legacies. I am confident that our Uswag leaders will continue this program because it is an investment in the future of our Ilonggo youth, some of whom could be our future leaders,” he said.
For the scholars, the Uswag Scholarship is not just a support system; it has become one of their biggest motivations to excel academically.
“I worked hard in my studies for my parents and for the people who believed in me — especially the Uswag Scholarship program, which became one of my biggest motivations to strive for excellence, not just for myself, but for the community that has supported me,” said Uswag scholar Jean-Ann D. Laurilla, who graduated with a degree in BS Community Development and earned Latin honors at the Iloilo Science and Technology University.
For Laurilla, her scholarship journey doesn’t end with graduation. She vows to continue striving, keep learning, and make a positive impact as her way of giving back to the community.
Another scholar, Keith Bryan P. Palomado, who graduated with a degree in BS Maritime Transportation at John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University (Arevalo), shared that the financial support provided by the Uswag Scholarship was not only a relief to his family but also instilled in him a sense of responsibility and determination to excel.
“I am proud to have been part of this program, and it inspired me to work hard and achieve my goals. I also appreciate the government’s commitment to education, which made a significant difference in our lives,” Palomado said.
Meanwhile, as chairman of the Local School Board, Treñas emphasized the relentless efforts to improve education in Iloilo City. The construction of school buildings, upgrading of school facilities, increasing resources, and supporting students and teachers remain top priorities.
The commitment to education also includes programs for Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) and basic education, with 202 modern ECCD centers built.
All these efforts earned the city the Gawad Edukampyon para sa Lokal na Pamahalaan award for an outstanding ECCD program.
Moreover, through the Special Education Fund (SEF), the Treñas administration has invested over P2 billion since 2019 for the construction and rehabilitation of school buildings, classrooms, and other facilities, benefiting students from early childhood care and development to senior high school.
Additionally, the Iloilo City Community College (ICCC) and the Technical Institute of Iloilo City (TIIC) provide free education and have produced thousands of graduates. In 2023, ICCC introduced new programs, BS in Special Needs Education and BS in Criminology, in addition to BS in Tourism Management and BS in Office Administration
Learning resources were enhanced by setting up library hubs, with seven public libraries in operation and more planned. Private sector donations have included books, computers, and learning materials.
The city’s sports program for the youth, the Iloilo City Sports Academy, was a national finalist for the Galing Pook Award in both 2023 and 2024./PN
