DepEd, PTA back measure giving honor grads incentive

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Education-Cebu City Division and its Parents-Teachers Association has thrown its support behind a proposed measure that provides incentives to honor graduates of all public elementary and secondary schools in the city.

During the public hearing on City Councilor Alvin Dizon’s draft ordinance, DepEd-Cebu City Division Superintendent Bianito Dagatan said the proposal would encourage students to study harder.

He reminded the City Council, though, that there will be no high school graduates this year because of the full implementation of the K to12 basic education system.

Cebu City PTA president Isidro Tumulak, Jr., on the other hand, said that ordinance would also benefit parents and teachers who have students in the elementary and high schools.

“Aside from the fact that the children are the home of our motherland, they are the ultimate source of joy and pride of their parents especially during their graduation, when they receive their awards, medals, and trophies as testaments of their academic achievements,” he said.

“In effect, the ordinance would develop in the children some sense of responsibility, commitment, and leadership,” he added.

As proposed, students who graduate as valedictorians get P3,000; salutatorian, P2,000; first honorable mention, P1,000; and second honorable mention to eight honorable mention, P500.

Both Dagatan and Tumulak said the incentives would encourage students to excel in their studies.

City Councilor Sisinio Andales, though, said the proposed measure should be reviewed further to determine if honor graduates who are not residing in Cebu City would be included in the incentives.

The committee on laws, ordinances, public accountability and governance also said there should likewise be a guideline for transferees.

Under the proposed measure, Cebu City’s Local School Board will draft the policies and guidelines for the implementation of the ordinance.

Dizon said DepEd-Cebu City Division would inform the city government through the LSB on the number of potential graduates with honors before the end of January every year to give City Hall time to prepare the funds.

DepEd is also asked to provide the final list of honor graduates one week before graduation, as the incentives would be released during the graduation ceremonies, and to submit a liquidation report with supporting documents.

The city would set aside P2 million in the annual budget for the appropriation. — (FREEMAN)