By ERWIN ‘AMBO’ DELILAN
THE City of Cadiz in the province of Negros Occidental has a unique scholarship program. There’s a twist, thus beyond the usual
Such ain’t just for the poor, deserving or brightest college students. Even the mediocre ones are very much welcome.
This current second semester, Cadiz has more than 5,000 college scholars. All of them are now enlisted with the Cadiz City Educational Assistance Program (CCEAP).
And believe it or not, the city’s current scholars aren’t a bunch of the best and the brightest. Many are just average students. But all of them receive the same amount of stipend per semester.
Those enrolled in private institutions receive P3,500/semester or P7,000 for the entire academic year. Those in the state colleges and universities get P2,500/semester or P5,000/year.
BE SY, GOKONGWEI, ANG
I took time to sit down with Mayor Salvador “Bading” Escalante Jr. and asked his wisdom about their unique scholarship program. Candidly, I was shocked yet awed by his out-of-the-box explanation. He stressed he doesn’t want to deprive the unexceptional students.
“For as long as the city can afford, we’ll not be choosy,” he articulated.
“Yes,” Mayor Bading added, “They’re mediocre now. But who knows someday they’ll be the most successful ones. Malay ‘ta basi sa ulihi pila sa ila mangin ala Henry Sy, John Gokongwei or Ramon Ang.”
Sy, Gokongwei and Ang, the mayor related, aren’t the best students of their generation.
“But look! They’re now ‘legends’ in Philippine business. They’re, indeed, worthy to be emulated,” said Mayor Bading.
According to the mayor, during his college days he himself wasn’t the best. Yet he strived, worked hard ‘till he reached his current status in life. Admirable!
‘CITY OF SCHOLARS’
With CCEAP, which he founded when he was first elected mayor 22 years ago, Cadiz is somehow eligible to be baptized as a “City of Scholars”. On record, Cadiz is the only local government unit (LGU) in Negros Occidental having the most number and sustained college scholars per year.
Mayor Bading said they allot P16M/semester or P32M/year from their General Fund just for CCEAP. That’s why they are now mulling to establish their own city college.
“It’s now in the pipeline. Feasibility study is underway. We’ll get there the soonest. Promise!” he disclosed.
He added: “I think P16-M to P32-M/year is more than enough to run a community college of ours.”
Asked why he’s so passionate about education, the mayor’s simple yet candid reply: “If you think education is expensive, try ignorance…”
GREAT REALIZATION
Yes, Mayor Bading admits CCEAP would be his remarkable legacy. He founded such in 2001.
However, ushering thousands of students every year until they finish college ain’t an easy mission.
Thus, beyond legacy, he said, there’s a great realization – to let everyone reach his or her dream in life.
And seriously speaking, this is an inspiring task as mayor – to make your constituents get educated, be professionals. It’s a lasting legacy “with a heart”.
Mayor Bading confessed his passion for education was inspired by the late governor Alfredo “Freddie” Marañon Jr.
Working with Marañon as liaison officer before, he said, helped him developed a gigantic passion for education.
“Gov. Freddie was a man of vision. But more than that, he’s kind-hearted and an education champion,” he stressed.
At the height of COVID-19 pandemic and blended learning, the mayor didn’t hesitate to put up a local FM radio station just for the “school-on-air”.
Likewise, each of their four educational districts, including major high schools, were also given printing machines for modular learning program.
EDUCATION CAN’T WAIT
While writing this piece, I remembered the novel of Afghan-American novelist Khaled Hosseini titled “A Thousand Splendid Suns”. There, Hosseini stressed, “Marriage can wait, education can’t.”
Such Hosseini’s wisdom is almost synonymous to that of Mayor Bading. The mayor’s aim: Let everyone in Cadiz have access to education, and you’ll see the best result(s) later.
Hence, for 22 years, Mayor Bading’s CCEAP had already produced thousands of the “best Cadiznons”.
Yet, he still promises to himself that he’ll never stop cajoling Cadiz youths to study well because the city is more than willing to assist them.
Flashing back in my memory is American talk show host Oprah Winfrey who once stressed, “Education is the key to unlocking the world, a passport to freedom.”
So, sans further elab, I doff my hat to Mayor Bading./PN
