BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO
BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya (January 7)—Indigenous Peoples (IP) communities in Nueva Vizcaya can soon send their children to college through a scholarship offered by the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) as part of its support to the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA), according to Governor Carlos Padilla.
With local government unit officials in the province, Padilla said their recent meeting with CHEd Chairman Prospero De Vera has focused on the proposed scholarship slots for IP students.
Nueva Vizcaya province is home to some 18 IP groups, which include the Ifugaos, Bugkalots, Gaddangs, Isinais, Ikalahan-Kalanguyas, Iwaks and Kankanaeys, among others.
Most of the tribes live in the upland towns of Kayapa, Alfonso Castañeda, Santa Fe, Ambaguio, Kasibu, Aritao, Quezon and Diadi. They rely mostly on upland agriculture, hunting animals and fishing for a living.
Padilla said the scholarship for IP students was one of the concerns they have discussed with the CHEd chairman.
“The additional scholarship slots for our IPs will be a big help in alleviating the plight of our young IPs, especially those who are poor but good and willing to pursue their studies,” he said.
He added that funding for the proposed additional scholarship offering will be sourced out from CHEd’s Higher Education Fund.
Meanwhile, the provincial government also accommodated at least 75 college students through the Sagut (gift) Scholarship Program.
Recipients of the scholarship represent the third batch of students granted scholarship benefits including books, uniforms and living allowance for their schooling.
Maria Jonem Gacad, Sagut Scholarship Program coordinator, said the new batch of scholars will be enrolled at the Nueva Vizcaya State University.
“We saw to it that the beneficiaries are deserving college students who belong to poor families but eager to sacrifice and maintain their required academic records to pursue their respective courses,” Gacad said.
In 2018, the Sagut Scholarship Program was established through a provincial ordinance that offers free educational subsidies for poor but deserving college students.