TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, Feb. 5 (PIA) -- The Bohol Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) under Vice Gov. Victor Dionisio Balite is setting up for second reading the proposed ordinance “Granting Cash Incentives and Recognition to Boholano Topnotchers and Appropriating Funds for the Incentive.”

When passed, the ordinance would allow test examiners from Bohol schools or studying within the Philippines who land in the top 10 list of their respective professional licensure examinations as conducted by the Philippine Professional Regulations Commission (PRC) or the Supreme Court to get a cash incentive and earn specific privileges for local government job placements, in line with the applicable rules of the Civil Service Commission.

The proposed ordinance applies for Filipino citizens and Bohol registered voters prior to the examination.

The measure has now passed first reading.

Billed under proposed Provincial Ordinance No. 008-2022, the measure is in accordance with Article XIV, Section 2 (3) of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, which mandates States to establish and maintain scholarship grants, student loan programs, subsidies and other incentives system for deserving especially poor students from public and private schools.

Proposed by Board Member Aldner Damalerio, the ordinance exemplifies the Provincial Government’s commitment to promote excellence in education and profession.

Incentivizing means aside from the customary plaque of appreciation for the topnotch professional plus another SP commendation, if he tops the exam or is declared excellent passer in the bar, he will receive P100,000.

Those who land in Top 2 to 5 will get P75,000 while those who are in the 6th to 10th place will receive P50,000.

Boholano topnotchers also earn a priority for employment in the Provincial Government, subject to the existing rules and regulations of CSC.

To ensure that the top passer is a Boholano, topnotchers submit photocopies of their Birth Certificate; Voter’s ID or Voter’s Registration, Barangay Residency Certification, Board Examination Result and Proof of Inclusion in the Top 10 as validated by the Education Development Center (EDC).

The proposed ordinance also empowers the provincial government to appropriate P1.5M  annually, which may be supplemented if needed to sustain the program. (RAHC/PIA7 Bohol)