Revised measure to limit Cebu’s scholarship grants

Local

A LOOMING policy shift at the Cebu Capitol could shut the door on thousands of private school students hoping for a provincial scholarship.

The Cebu Province Grants Intended for Tertiary Students (CP-GIFTS) may soon exclude students enrolled in private higher education institutions, following a proposed amendment to the ordinance governing the program.

Second District Board Member Raymond Joseph Calderon, who heads the Sangguniang Panlalawigan’s Committee on Education, introduced the proposed changes during the Provincial Board’s July 14 regular session. The measure passed first reading.

The amendment seeks to revise Sections 4 and 6 of Ordinance No. 2022-01, limiting scholarship eligibility to students in state universities and colleges (SUCs) only. Private school enrollees would no longer qualify.

Calderon explained that the program was designed to assist students who already enjoy free tuition under national law by providing them with allowances for school-related expenses.

He said the scholarship was never intended to cover tuition fees in private institutions.

“This is supposed to be para makatabang sa estudyante... allowance kay di naman sila mobayad og tuition fee,” Calderon said.

Currently, CP-GIFTS only covers SUCs located within Cebu province.

Calderon noted, however, that many Cebuano students, particularly from the north and south, attend public universities in neighboring provinces, including Negros State University and Visayas State University in Leyte, and are thus excluded under the existing rules.

The proposed changes aim to include these students by allowing Cebu residents to apply for the scholarship regardless of the SUC’s location, as long as it is a public institution and the applicant meets academic and residency requirements.

Each qualified scholar under CP-GIFTS receives P10,000 per semester.

The ordinance provides every provincial board member with 100 scholarship slots per year in their respective districts.

Calderon said the committee may also consider giving the Office of the Vice Governor a similar allocation in the revised ordinance.(MyTVCebu)