PASIG CITY, (PIA) -- The City Government of Pasig officially launched the PAG-ASA Scholarship Program.

According to the city government, the PAG-ASA or the Private Education for the Advancement of the Grassroots through Academic Scholarship Assistance Program aims to defray the cost of tertiary education for eligible first-year students admitted in priority programs of participating private higher education institutions (HEIs) and technical vocational institutions (TVIs) in Pasig City. The program specifically targets those who are underprivileged and cannot afford to pursue tertiary education due to financial constraints.

"This PAG-ASA Scholarship Program will be our attempt to do our part in making sure that the next generation of Pasigueños are able to fulfill their studies. Our goal here is [to achieve] a brighter future for our city. For this program, we aim to make sure that all Pasigueños who are qualified and want to complete their tertiary studies are able to do so, despite the financial constraints or economic hardship," said Mayor Vico Sotto.  

A prerequisite to the implementation of the scholarship program is entering into memoranda of agreement with private HEIs or TVIs located in Pasig City to determine the standards and the obligations to be observed pursuant to the program. Thus, for its pilot implementation, the City Government of Pasig has partnered with Arellano University (AU) - Pasig Campus and Pasig Catholic College (PCC).

Signing the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on behalf of their schools are Arellano University Chairperson of the Board of Trustees and Concurrent President Francisco Paulino V. Cayco and Pasig Catholic College President Rev. Fr. Daniel L. Estacio.

Heads of both schools expressed gratitude to be the pilot schools of the Program. AU President Cayco then also conveyed their openness to further expand the program to basic education to extend help to more Pasigueño youth. PCC President Rev. Fr.  Estatacio, meanwhile, manifested PCC’s commitment to the implementation of the scholarship program and likewise acknowledged the efforts of the City Government to provide the needs of Pasigueños.

“Para paagusin pa ang pag-asa sa buong lungsod ng Pasig hanggang makarating ito sa bawat Pasigueño, nakatuon ang ating atensyon sa paghahanap ng konkreto at praktikal na paraan para maibigay ang kalidad na edukasyon para sa ating kabataan. Sama-sama nating bubuuin ang pangarap nating Pasig: kung saan ay bawat isa ay may pagkakataong mangarap, at may gobyernong kakampi ng tao para matupad ang kanilang mga pangarap,” said Vice Mayor Dodot Jaworksi added while sharing the rationale of the program in response to the constraints of the Pamantasang Lungsod ng Pasig in accepting more enrollees.

Apart from facilitating access to tertiary education, the PAG-ASA Scholarship Program, according to Congressman Roman Romulo, likewise ensures the provision of quality education to Pasigueños. He mentioned that the program likewise augments the efforts of the national government in subsidizing expenses for tertiary education through scholarships and vouchers.

About the PAG-ASA Scholarship Program

Under the Scholarship Program, an amount not exceeding PHP35,000.00 per semester, until completion of the course (adhering to conditions to retain the scholarship), will be granted to successful applicants. The scholarship per semester shall cover tuition and other school fees and a fixed allowance for books, supplies, and other miscellaneous expenses.

The initial list of priority undergraduate courses under the PAG-ASA Scholarship Program include Accountancy; Business Administration/ Entrepreneurship/ Management/ Marketing/ Finance; Education; English/ Journalism/ Communications; Hospitality Management/ Tourism; Information Technology/ Computer Science; Nursing; Political Science; and Psychology.

The PAG-ASA Scholarship Program is in line with the thrust of the current administration to provide Pasigueños access to quality education and it hopes to contribute in truly responding to long-pressing issues in the education sector. (Pasig City/PIA-NCR)