LAV scholarship program strengthened

One of the goals of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), in accordance with pertinent provisions of RA 7722 the Higher Education Act of 1994, is to broaden access of the poor but deserving Filipino students to take up higher education through scholarships, grants and loans. Through his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), Congressman Lord Allan Velasco has initiated upon assumption as Marinduque’s representative to Congress, the Leaders and Achievers of Velasco (LAV) Scholarship Program. The program provides educational assistance to poor but deserving students from the Lone District of Marinduque.

Students directly receive cash payments from school authorities representing LAV educational assistance. Such funds are directly transferred to all participating schools. 

Envelopes with cash distributed by school authorities. 

Marinduque colleges, among them the Educational System Technological Institute (ESTI), Marinduque Midwest College (MMC) and St. Mary’s College of Marinduque (SMCM), on the other hand, share the same vision to widen access of deserving students to qualify for educational opportunities. The Office of Congressman Velasco has thus requested the Department of Budget and Management to allocate funds to the CHED for the Leaders and Achievers of Velasco Scholarship Program.  From CHED, funds in varying amounts are designated and transferred to the colleges following a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), between the three parties, namely, CHED, the relevant college, and the project initiator (Cong. Velasco). Duties and responsibilities of the parties mentioned are spelled out in the said MOA.

Since 2011, a similar MOA has been entered into between DBM, Marinduque State College (MSC), and the Project Initiator (Cong. Velasco). Funds from Cong. Velasco’s PDAF are released by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), directly to the MSC for the implementation of the said scholarship program. Appropriate coordination by the Marinduque Congressional District Office with the Marinduque State College, and vice-versa, are undertaken so that the program is carried out smoothly. 

Recently, the amount of P 5.5-Million for the implementation of this program was received by the MSC under Special Allotment Release Order (SARO-BMB-G-12-T000003901) on September 7, 2012.

Upon the request of Cong. Lord Allan Velasco, coverage of cash requirements of TESDA for the implementation of scholarship program for scholars in Buyabod School of Arts and Trade (BSAT) and Torrrijos Poblacion School of Arts and Trade (TPSAT) amounting to P 1-Million, was likewise authorized by the DBM under SARO No. BMB-G-12-T000003905) on the same date.

Meanwhile, to promote leadership and fellowship among recipients of the scholarship program, student clubs have been organized in schools by the program recipients themselves. They aim to uphold the academic integrity of their institution, endeavor to achieve academic excellence, participate in civic affairs and become fresh, positive forces in society, among others.