Pagasa Philippines awarded twenty-three (23) scholars a grant of PhP 20,000.00 each for the second semester of 2016-2017 for its newly-launched “One Scholar per Branch Program.”
The scholars were identified from among 30+ nominations who have met the criteria from across the branches all over the Philippines. The goal of the program is to help borrowers provide for the education needs of their children.
North Luzon scholars are Camille Manalastas (Gapan) and Renzol Timbol Lugtu (Mabalacat). For NCR: Jay-Arr P. Dasigan and Mark Lester Pidlaoan (Novaliches), Rick Charles R. Basilio (Paco), Helen Asis Rieza (Pasig Rosario), Ma. Delmar Bigata (Taytay) and Mario Maligon Javier (Valenzuela)
South Luzon scholars are Glaine Daly C. Estrella (GMA-Cavite), Cathlyn G. Ordonez (Imus) Donald Kandog and Marian Joyce Manalo (Las Pinas), Merck Steven Lu (Lucena), Nicky C. Salvador (Naic), and Micko Panganiban (Silang).
North Mindanao scholars are Shiela Mae Villorejo (El Salvador, Rapha Jamero (Carmen), Edmon Plaza Cuares (Trento) and, Bernardo B. Sabuero (Cabadbaran).
South Mindanao scholars are Jan Paul Satam (Kidapawan), Vera-Ellen Diamante (Padada), Irish Olenares (Surallah) and Josie Marie Shaira Maghari (Tibungco).
Among the 23 scholars, majority are taking courses in Education, Economics and Management, Information Technology, and Engineering. Few are into Communication, Midwifery, Biology and Criminology.
Josie Marie Shaira Maghari, daughter of member Maria Rossini Maghari of Tibungco branch wrote a heartfelt letter as part of the application. An excerpt reads “(Pagasa) has been a big help for me and my family especially for my…education. Pagasa has been a very big contributor to our success, helping my family throughout the years…Thank you Pagasa for the continuous help and inspiring people to fulfil our dreams even with financial difficulties.”
Each branch in operation for at least three years with clients of 1100 and above were asked to nominate a scholar. The nominees are sons or daughters of clients who have been with Pagasa for at least three (3) years with good loan repayment records. The nominees are graduating college or technical-vocational students with good/passing grades.
The Client Services Committee, in-charge of the program, hopes to receive more nominations completing the 50 scholars originally targeted. Pagasa has allotted PhP 2 million for the program.