DAGUPAN CITY – Mayor Belen T. Fernandez signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the different colleges and universities here that renewed the city’s MBTF Scholarship program for the 750 indigent but deserving students who are determined to finish their college education.
Mayor Fernandez signed the MOA with the University of Pangasinan Phinma, University of Luzon, Colegio De Dagupan, Pangasinan State University, Lyceum Northwestern University, Kingfisher School of Business and Finance, PIMSAT Colleges and Pangasinan Merchant Marine Academy.
The selection of beneficiaries to the MBTF Scholarship program is being undertaken by the city government but the admission of the scholars is within the guidelines of the schools, thus the students must have to pass the qualification requirements of the particular school.
The courses covered by the agreement range from two-year vocational courses to five-year college courses.
Under the agreement, the city shall pay the amount of P10,000 to cover the cost of 15 to 18 units as well as the miscellaneous fees per semester..
To date, more than 200 scholars already graduated under the scholarship program and one of the first batches of scholars is now a professional engineer, Alvin Urbano.
“This is where your taxes go…a scholarship program for 700 students from the best universities in our city with their chosen course that interest them. I believe education with diploma will make our children competitive in jobs and in business. My only request to them is for them to study hard, to finish their college education and to help their parents, brothers and sisters and to always look back where they came from. I have the same wish like their parents–a better life for them,” said Fernandez.
Mayor Fernandez added that with the development soon of the three growth centers under the Comprehensive Land Use Plan, there will be more jobs available for everyone, saying “that is why I urge our school partners, which provide quality education to our students, to make our batang Dagupeno globally competitive”. (Joseph C. Bacani/CIO/July 6, 2017)