P98.5 M in college scholarships set for sugar workers’ dependents

MANILA, Philippines - The Aquino government has earmarked P98.5 million to provide free college education to eligible dependents of sugar industry workers and small cane farmers, Pasig City Rep. Roman Romulo said yesterday.

Romulo, chairman of the House committee on higher and technical education, said the budget was included in the P10.53-billion allocation for the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) in the proposed P3.002-trillion General Appropriations Act for 2016.

“The amount will pay for the scholarships of qualified children and other dependents of small cane growers as well as plantation workers, including those employed in sugar mills, refineries and distilleries,” he said.

“The scholars will be enrolled in chemical engineering, agriculture, agricultural engineering and mechanics, sugar technology and related higher education programs,” he added.

The Sugarcane Industry Development Law or Republic Act 10659 established the scholarship grants to help provide a better future for the families of workers and tillers, Romulo said.