PAGADIAN CITY, July 30 (PIA) – “It is a
great honor and privilege to be one of the SPES beneficiaries. Because of this,
we are motivated to study harder and pursue our dreams,” Stella Rose Demaulo,
one of the 81 students from St. Columban College (SCC) said during the
turn-over program held at the aforementioned school.
“Sana po, marami pa kayong matulungan
na kagaya rin naming salat sa buhay,” Demaulo said, full of gratitude to the
government through the Department of Labor and Employment.
On July 26, DOLE Regional Director
Sisinio B. Cano handed the SPES checks amounting to P216,270.00 to SCC
President Fr. Gilbert M. Hingone for 81 grantees. “Make good in your studies because
nobody can take it away from you. Bisan wala moy kwarta apan aduna kamoy
edukasyon, makakita kamo ug maayong trabaho,” Cano said. (Even if you have no
money but are educated, you will be able to find a good job.) “Hopefully you
will earn a degree out of this scholarship. And someday, you will be somebody
in the community,” Cano encouraged the
students.
He likewise awarded Starter Kits worth
P10,000 each to 6 beneficiaries namely Genefaith Bala of Pitogo; Ruben
Gamalando – Tukuran; Drek Meria – Diplo; Simplicio T. Ecot Jr. of Mahayag; Julito
Talledo and Rio Norca of Pagadian City.
Cano urged the PWDs to make good use of
the resources that the government has provided for them, engage in entrepreneurial
activity and hopefully earn a modest living out of it. The starter kits include
sewing machines, drafting materials and other items.
SCC President Fr. Gilbert M. Hingone expressed
his gratitude to everyone who worked hard for this program especially the DOLE family, and Ms. Mary Jane Omandam, SCC Guidance Counselor and Public Employment Service Office
(PCSO) Manager.
“I would like to thank the DOLE family
for sustaining this noble partnership. For me this is noble because our goal is
to help the sector of our students who needs it most. SCC is also committed to
help poor but deserving students. DOLE’s assistance is truly a blessing from
above,” Fr. Hingone declared.
Another
SPES grantee, Juda Cabalog said, “I was so happy to receive my first SPES
check. I was able to pay my back accounts and use it for my thesis. I don’t have
to ask money from my parents who are financially hard up. I feel so blessed and
lucky and it inspires me to study hard and pursue my dreams knowing that
government agencies are ready and willing to help us,” he tearfully related.
All
the 81 grantees promised to make good in their studies so that government
assistance extended to them will not be in vain.
The
turn-over ceremony was attended by ARD Virginia L. Bonbon, DOLE employees, Fr. Belstar
O. Ediang and other school officials as well as the families of PWDs. (ALT-PIA9/Zambo
Sur)