Nueva Era: This municipality, predominantly inhabited by the Tingguian indigenous people, is emphasizing the role of education in preserving cultural heritage and preparing the youth for future challenges. Under the "One Professional, One Family" program, various government support services are geared towards ensuring that each household has at least one employed professional.
According to Philippines News Agency, the Nueva Era government alleviates the financial burden on parents by providing essential school supplies for children at the start of every academic year. Mayor Aldrin Garvida highlighted the initiative's focus, stating that the program is rooted in their advocacy to have at least one professional in every family.
Since its institutionalization in 2022, the municipality has dedicated multi-million-peso funding to support educational assistance and incentives for Nueva Era scholars from Grades 11 and 12 through to tertiary education. Municipal Ordinance No. 2022-52 ensures that scholars from the town's 11 communities receive at least PHP2,500 annually for senior high school education and a stipend ranging from PHP3,500 to PHP4,000 per semester for college students.
Further incentives are provided for academic achievers, with cash rewards for graduating top of the class: PHP5,000 for cum laude, PHP10,000 for magna cum laude, and PHP15,000 for summa cum laude. Additionally, the municipality covers free transportation services and dormitory rental fees for out-of-town students, primarily studying in Batac and Laoag.
Mayor Garvida acknowledged that distance to the nearest schools, along with transportation difficulties and securing affordable housing, are significant barriers preventing many IP students from pursuing higher education. 'We are so lucky here in Nueva Era because education is a priority,' resident Agnes Parado expressed.
Nueva Era, located approximately 63 kilometers from Laoag and 25 kilometers from Batac via the Batac-Banna road, faces challenges in public transportation due to its mountainous location. The municipality consists of 3,300 households, as reported by the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office.
Cheryll Tabangay, a Tingguian from Nueva Era and the first Indigenous People Mandatory Representative of Ilocos Norte, praised the program's impact on IP education. 'The program is a big help for us. It intends to provide equitable access to quality education and uplift the lives of families, particularly the marginalized sector,' she stated.
