Bacolod City: The Negros Occidental provincial government has recently enrolled 515 additional educational scholars, joining a total of 1,350 grantees striving to complete their education. The province has earmarked approximately PHP72.3 million this year to support these scholars across 11 different categories, as stated by Karen Dinsay, head of the Negros Occidental Scholarship Program (NOSP), during an interview on Tuesday.

According to Philippines News Agency, the scholars were selected from a pool of 8,600 applicants. These beneficiaries will receive free tuition, miscellaneous fees, book and uniform allowances, and various other forms of assistance. In a ceremony held on Monday, they formalized their commitment by signing a memorandum of agreement with Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson.

Governor Lacson emphasized in his address that the NOSP provides every qualified Negrense the chance to pursue education, irrespective of their circumstances. He encouraged the scholars to remember that by chasing their dreams, they are also paving the way for future generations of young Negrenses.

He urged the scholars to excel academically, maintain integrity, and eventually contribute back to their families, communities, and the province. The NOSP offers various categories of scholarships, including the Pagkaon Scholarship Grant, District Educational Scholarship, Degree Completion Scholarship, and others catering to specific groups such as Indigenous Peoples, children of solo parents, and persons with disabilities.