ILOILO City – The Uswag Scholarship Program of the Iloilo City Government has once again served its purpose in helping Ilonggo students thrive in their education.
An additional of 142 Uswag scholars graduated from college this year – 29 cum laudes, 21 magna cum laudes, and one with honors.
This brings to a total of 27,389 the students who availed themselves of the scholarship program since 2010.
According to Mayor Jerry P. Treñas, the city government recognizes the importance of education, thus it is also crucial to rally behind these students, champion their cause, and provide them with necessary resources and support to succeed academically.
“By recognizing the talent and potential of our Ilonggo students and offering them educational opportunities through our Uswag Scholarship, we are not only investing in their future but also in the progress and prosperity of our beloved Iloilo City as a whole,” the city mayor stressed.
Joyce Ann Villegas Zamudio of Barangay Katilingban, Molo district and one of the Uswag scholars who just graduated magna cum laude, emphasized that the financial support provided by the scholarship program is a huge help to her and her family, especially the burden of paying for her education.
“The Uswag Scholarship had a significant influence on my path nga nag-inspire gid sa akon nga maghimakas and keep aiming for academic achievement. With the help of the Uswag Scholarship, I was able to complete my degree without worrying about my finances,” said Zamudio, a graduate of Iloilo Science and Technology University with the degree Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management.
She added that as a working student, she struggled to manage her academic responsibilities and a part-time job as a service crew at a fast-food chain to pay her living expenses.
“With this scholarship, I was able to focus more on my studies while also receiving a sense of acknowledgment and validation for my hard work and dedication. The support provided by this Uswag scholarship inspired me to continue striving for academic success,” she added.
Zamudio also looks forward to give back to the community the best way she can and one of these is to help other students achieve their goals in the same way Uswag Scholarship has helped her.
“I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the Iloilo City Government, especially to Mayor Jerry P. Treñas, for establishing the Uswag Scholarship Program. With your wonderful help, I was able to graduate with flying colors. Damo kami ang imo nabuligan, Mayor, paagi sa Uswag Scholarship Program kag tani damo pa nga mga Ilonggos ang mabuligan sang ini nga programa. God bless all of you,” Zamudio expressed.
Another Uswag scholar is Dennis L. Tapleras of Barangay Sto. Niño Norte, Arevalo district, who took up Bachelor of Science in Tourism Management at Central Philippine University (CPU) and graduated cum laude.
Tapleras said the scholarship has lessened his financial load and fulfilled his academic goals.
He also shared that as an Uswag scholar, he was able to join the Manila-Pampanga Educational tour where he experienced aviation trainings, hotel seminars, and saw the beauty of the hospitality and tourism industry, an enrichment to his academic growth and personal development.
As a way to give back to the community, he plans to pay it forward by mentoring other students and sharing the knowledge and skills he gained through his experiences.
Tapleras also expressed his appreciation to the city government under Mayor Treñas.
“Your support of students like me not only benefits our individual prospects but also acts as a potent catalyst for the development and expansion of our community as a whole. We appreciate your support in helping us realize our full potential and your belief in us,” Tapleras added.
Another magna cum laude graduate who expressed her appreciation to the city government is Jean-ann Dableo Laurillo of Barangay Sambag, Jaro district.
“To our Mayor Jerry P. Treñas, thank you for the opportunity you have given to me and to the community of students who are financially unstable to be one of the Uswag scholars. Continue serving Iloilo City for inclusive and sustainable development. I and my family are very thankful for this opportunity. May God bless you and give you good health. Thank you!” Laurillo, a Bachelor of Science in Community Development graduate of ISAT-U, said.
She shared how she was able to overcome the hardships and challenges on her college journey especially during the pandemic where her father’s job as a taxi driver was greatly affected.
“My academic progress is greatly influenced by the Uswag Scholarship, particularly in terms of financial support for meeting my educational needs and academic motivation… the Uswag Scholarship gave me direction and inspired me to keep going. It made a significant impact on me and helped me get through my challenging academic journey,” she shared.
She also encourages other scholars to just keep going, do their best, and have faith.
“As a result of the opportunity that was given to me, I’ll pay for it by serving my community and country, especially the marginalized group of people in our community. Empowering every individual and helping people help themselves for genuine sustainable development and inclusive development,” she added.
To note, the Uswag Scholarship Program, one of Iloilo City Government’s flagship initiatives, anchored on its W.H.E.E.L.S. or Welfare, Health, Environment, Education, Livelihood, Sustainability roadmap under Education, has been successfully assisting underprivileged yet deserving students in receiving financial aid to further their education.
Mayor Treñas launched this program in 2010 and eventually established a list of professionals.
Qualified beneficiaries get P5,000 cash assistance per semester, or a total of P10,000 per year.
Applicants who may avail of the scholarship must be bona fide city residents who are senior high school graduates, high school graduates under the old Department of Education (DepEd) curriculum, or already in college level.
They must submit an accomplished scholarship form, one piece 2×2-sized colored picture, barangay indigency and certificate of residency issued by the punong barangay, certificate of good moral character, case study or certificate of eligibility issued by the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), and certified true copy of grades from the previous semester./PN
