Having access to education plays a vital role in determining one’s future. More so, the knowledge and skills acquired by the children of today will be of great help as the future members and leaders of the society. However, due to financial challenges, some families struggle to send their children to school and even to make their ends meet.
To ensure the Camarinenses’ accessibility to quality education, the Provincial Government of Camarines Sur continues to prioritize the education sector of the province.
On January 13, 2023, the Provincial Government conducted the distribution of the Educational Assistance Program to the second batch of its provincial scholars held at the Fuerte CamSur Sports Complex. Governor Luigi Villafuerte led the distribution of over P17.5M worth of scholarship to more than 2,500 student-beneficiaries.
Among the hardworking scholars is the 22-year-old third year college student of Ateneo de Naga University, Aubrey Betonio from San Jose, Pili. He received two cheques for two semesters amounting P70,000. Since his Senior High School, Betonio has been receiving scholarship grants from the Provincial Government.
“Dakulang tabang po ining scholarship para sa mga estudyante na gustong makatungtong sa senior high [school] asin pati man sa mga unibersidad asin kolehiyo para makua ninda an saindang gustong kurso para makakua man nin magayon na trabaho,” said Betonio.
Being a Digital Animation major, a student needs to be financially able due to the costly equipment and resources that the undergraduate degree requires. Rather than feeling discouraged, Betonio’s scholarship motivated him to pursue his goals and dreams not just for himself but also for his parents as a way of giving back to their sacrifices.
Another provincial scholar since the leadership of then Governor Migz Villafuerte is Mariane Paula Avenido, 23 years old from San Juan, Magarao. Avenido was a former scholar, being a part of the El Verde Youth. Her scholarship was then renewed through the Provincial Government’s swift response and approval to her submitted documents. For Avenido, no words can express how grateful she was to the Provincial Government for helping her not just to finish her studies, but to do it with flying colors as she graduated a Cum Laude in Universidad de Sta. Isabel-Naga Campus.
With pure bliss, Avenido gratefully said, “Salamat po sa Provincial Government of CamSur ta saro ako sa mga estudyanteng natawan nin tiyansa na makabali po digdi sa scholarship [program]. Kun dai po ako nakua [digdi], baka nagkaigwa ako nin kadipisilan sa kolehiyo, por dahil napili po nindo ako, nakatapos po ako sa pagklase. Alagad, nakabawas na po [ining scholarship] sa pagal kan magurang ko para sa pagpaklase sako. Kaya salamat pong maray!”
Avenido received an amount of P17,000 for her previous semester. Being currently employed on her first job, she plans to make use of the received assistance to enroll for basic training classes as a step for her goal to work abroad.
These two students who worked hard for their dreams and goals in life both dedicated their achievements to God as well as to their families and friends who inspired them to be stronger amidst the challenges they faced. Realizing their skills and potential by gaining knowledge and self-determination was made possible for these students, along with their fellow scholars, through the government’s support to education.
Meanwhile, the announcement for the schedule of the third batch of distribution shall be expected by the scholars in the coming days.
The Provincial Government of Camarines Sur, with the aim to continuously help and support the students and their education, prioritizes the education sector of the province by providing various projects and programs that will help the young Camarinenses become successful citizens for the future of Camarines Sur.
