The Ilocos Norte government has set aside PHP65 million this year to assist learners under its intensified scholarship program, now available in six categories.

From last year’s PHP45-million scholarship budget covering 2,047 scholars, the Ilocos Norte government has increased the budget this year to accommodate more interested applicants.

Dr. Danny Daquioag, head of the Provincial Education Office (PEO) reported Tuesday that the province is currently offering scholarship grants for medical students, agriculture and fishery courses both in college and secondary levels, art students, academic achievers, technical and vocational students as well as to qualified senior high school students.

In his presentation during a press conference held at the Capitol auditorium, Daquioag said “academic scholarship remains to have the biggest number of budget allocation while there are more available slots for applicants who are interested to pursue careers in agriculture and fisheries as well as in the arts program.”

Last year, the Ilocos Norte government has introduced three new scholarship programs which include the Doctor of Medicine with 16 recipients, agriculture and fishery courses with 80 beneficiaries in college and 216 in high school.

In addition, the art scholarship program has also benefited at least 222 scholars in 2021.

“For this year, we hope to accommodate more scholars under the new categories with an increase in their stipends,” said provincial board member Saul Paulo Lazo, in his capacity as chairperson of the committee on education of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.

Lazo added that there are plans to propose another scholarship program for students to assist those interested to take up law and help in the resolution of voluminous pending cases in court.

With a 100 percent board passing rate of medical graduate scholars, more slots are also expected for medical student applicants this year to entice more Ilokano doctors to serve the province, particularly in this time of the prolonged pandemic. (PNA)