State universities, colleges asked: Don’t pressure scholars on budget concerns

CEBU, Philippines - Government scholars should not be the ones to suffer if the budget for their education from the Commission on Higher Education is delayed.

This is what lawmakers are fighting for while deliberation for 2016 budget of CHED is going-on, according to Cebu fourth district Representative Benhur Salimbangon.

Salimbangon said they are asking CHED to issue guidelines to State Colleges and Universities (SCU) to allow government scholars to take the examinations pending the release of payment.

“It should be clarified, kadto’ng scholars dapat di na hasolon,” he said.

Salimbangon said payment should not be used as requirement for the students to be able to take examinations or to get documents since they are government scholars.

“State colleges and universities should go to CHED instead of bothering the student, di himuong kondisyon ba,” he said.

Salimbangon has around 4,000 scholars in the entire fourth district mostly enrolled at the Cebu Technological University in Daanbantayan and at Cebu Normal University in Medellin.

He also stressed that in every district, there is an allocation for scholarship.

Meanwhile, Salimbangon also reported that CHED chairperson Patricia Licuanan confirmed that scholars funded by the abolished Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) can still continue their studies.

Salimbangon said that any course chosen by the students, even not on the priority list of CHED, are now allowed.

“CHED ruled nga di mahimo pahunungon sila, priority sa mga bata unless ang kurso, there is no market available for employment,” Salimbangon added.

Licuanan reportedly advised the lawmakers who have scholars funded by the PDAF to coordinate with the office for student services of the CHED.

More than 100,000 scholars of the lawmakers both in the Senate and House of Representatives have reportedly been affected by the abolition of the PDAF which the Supreme Court  declared unconstitutional. — Gregg M. Rubio/ATO (FREEMAN)