Sagay Mayor Narciso “NarwiSagay scholarship fund now P18 million: mayorn” Javelosa Jr. said the city’s scholarship fund increased by 80 percent this year, or P18 million, compared to last year’s P10 million.
Javelosa, who delivered his inaugural State of the Children’s Address at Balay Kauswagan in the city, said this increase in funding benefitted 629 Sagaynon scholars and eight special grantees.
He also highlighted the city’s partnership with Australia-based International College of Advanced Education in Northern Territory.
Javelosa said this partnership will help Sagaynons, under a scholarship program, to study and work in Australia by providing assistance in skills training and in completing the Australian visa requirements.
As the city recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic, the local government also vaccinated around 31,000 students 5 to 17 years old, he added.
“Our Inter-Agency Task Force and health workers have done their best to protect our younger population from the clutches of the pandemic,” the mayor said in his address last week, adding that aside from vaccination, the city also provided vitamins, fresh milk, and rice, and took care of the undernourished children through consistent feeding programs in every school.
Javelosa also pointed out that construction and repair of school facilities are ongoing, adding that, as of the third quarter of this year, the Local School Board already implemented 14 out of 23 programs targeted for 2022.
As the mayor aspires for what is best for the Sagaynon children, he urged everyone to pay attention to the young and devote time and effort to take care of them.
“Our Children’s Month celebration each year emphasizes our commitment and responsibility to the wellbeing and welfare of our children,” he said in a press release, adding “This is a wakeup call for all stakeholders to uphold and safeguard the children’s rights and to chart our efforts, initiatives, and achievements for the benefit of our young population.”
The mayor encouraged Sagaynon children to make use of their time to study and develop their talents and skills while they continue to dream big and do their best in school, home, and in the community.
Negros Occidental 2nd District Representative Alfredo Marañon III, meanwhile, said that as the challenge of the pandemic is almost over, all must take precautionary measures to prevent the onslaught of diseases, especially to children.
Marañon said his office is working doubly hard to provide quality education, and for poor families to have the opportunity to avail of tertiary education for their children. “Our city has a scholarship program while the 2nd District of Negros Occidental sets aside a budget for educational assistance to deserving students, who comply with the requirements,” he added.
Sagay City Division head Marsette Sabbaluca, meanwhile, noted that Sagay is one of the cities with a Local Children’s Code. “With this, the Sagay City Council for the Protection of the Children has allotted a seat for a children’s representative,” she added.
Daniel Enrico Chua, a Grade 9 student from Sagay National High School, was elected by the student leaders of Sagay after the State of the Children Address to represent the city’s children in the Council, that is composed of representatives from the city government and national government agencies.
Vice Mayor Leo Rafael Cueva said “it is important that we have youth-led organizations where kids can safely develop into productive citizens of our country. We must have the framework where these organizations can excel and create a culture of giving and caring for others. The love of country and love for others must be ingrained in the system so that they grow knowing and loving our country.” ||
