LGU-Tacurong works on new educational assistance program

(June 8, 2012) An ordinance for the establishment and institutionalization of the Iskolar ng Lungsod ng Tacurong or the ILT Program is scheduled for second reading of the Sangguniang Panlungsod on June 13, 2012.

ILT is a scholarship grant purposely made for the poor yet deserving who hopes to get tertiary or vocational education. LGU-Tacurong aims to launch the program in academic year 2012-2013.

 As indicated in the proposal, applicants must be residents of Tacurong with good moral character, and whose parents’ annual gross income is not over 120,000.00. An applicant must not be over 22 years old and must have an average grade of 80%, without a failing grade in all his/her high school subjects. The proposed program will not be accommodating those who have already availed other scholarships. No two members of a family shall be granted with ILT benefits at the same time.

Even at its proposal stage, Mayor Lina Montilla fully supports the program by allotting an annual budget of 500,000. The said budget is planned to be increased in the succeeding years of its implementation.

The Sangguniang Panlungsod will deliberate and finalize ILT qualifications, requirements, budget, selection process, and other program components in the second and third readings.

“We are very hopeful that this program will be approved and implemented soon. The LGU will closely coordinate with DepEd and other academic institutions to strengthen the implementation of this program,” declares Councilor Ariel Ferdinand M. dela Cruz, Chair of the Committee on Education. Hon. Dela Cruz and Hon. Psyche M. Sucaldito are the proponents of ILT. (Jezereel Louise Camangeg Billano)