Luigi doubles number of scholars next year

CEBU, Philippines - Sixth District Rep. Gabriel Luis Quisumbing will double the number of his scholars in the coming school year.

Quisumbing announced during the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement with the Department of Social Welfare and Development at Norkis Park in Mandaue City that he will increase the 500 existing scholars to 1,000.

During the signing ceremony which was a Scholar’s Day at the same time, Quisumbing turned over P3 million check to DSWD regional director Evelyn Macapobre. The amount came from the congressman’s Priority Development Assistance Fund.

The DSWD serves as the caretaker of the funds for Quisumbing’s scholars. Under the scholarship program each scholar is entitled P5,000.00 every year for their food and transportation allowance.

Quisumbing said that by school year 2011-2012 the number of his scholars will be doubled and he is leaving the determination of qualified beneficiaries to the barangay officials.

"I hope this will not be politicized. Let us set aside politics for the sake of education and future of our children," Quisumbing said.

The neophyte congressman believes that giving out scholarship fund is an investment not just today but for his district's tomorrow.

He added that starting this summer, he will provide job fair, technical skills training, vocational training and livelihood training for the students to be better equipped as soon as they graduate.

"The scholarship shall not end by the giving of the check. It shall continue through various trainings," he said. (FREEMAN)