16 rebel-returnee dependents get scholarship grants

by L. Lopez

Tabuk, Kalinga (8 August) — Sixteen children of former rebels got scholarship grants this schools year, bringing to 29 the current number of scholarship grantees under the government’s rebel returnee program in the province.

Rebel Returnee Program Coordinator Bing Haddac of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) said the grantees are provided scholarship under the Study Grant Program of the Office of Presidential Assistance on Peace Process (OPAPP) and Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

The students who are now enrolled in various colleges and universities get P5,000 cash stipend per semester, Haddac said.

Haddac clarified that the scholarship is limited only to direct family members of former rebels such as wives and children. She noted that many wanted to apply but were found out to be relatives of rebel returnees.

The Study Grant Program of OPAPP and CHED aims to provide educational support to family members of rebels who returned to the fold of the law, as part of the government’s Social Integration Program.

Haddac said since the start of the program, many beneficiaries successfully finished college and are now employed in government agencies.

Last April, two grantees graduated Bachelor of Science in Nursing at St. Toni’s College here, while some expect to graduate from other courses this year.

As additional support, the PSWDO offers food-allowance to student-grantees who render extra-work during their free time at the office, to augment their needs, Haddac said.

Government’s program for rebel returnees has been so effective in the campaign against communist insurgency in this part of the country. (PIA-Kalinga)