BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
A memorandum of agreement was signed on November 8 between the provincial government of Negros Occidental and the Buglas Foundation Inc. with 30 Negrense Dualtech Scholarship Program grantees at the Provincial Capitol Social Hall in Bacolod City.
The provincial government of Negros Occidental was represented by Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson, with Buglas Foundation, Inc. represented by Roger Sarmiento and Felipe Espinosa.
The 30 scholar-grantees, comprising the 5th batch, will be deployed to Laguna in January to study Electro-mechanics Technology course for two years at Dualtech Training Center Foundation, Inc, according to Karen Dinsay, head of the Negros Occidental Scholarship Program Division.
Dinsay added that the 30 scholars are out-of-school youth from the cities of Sagay, Bago, Himamaylan, La Carlota and Sipalay, and municipalities of Isabela, Calatrava, Toboso and Hinigaran.
She also said that the two-year course covers Basic Industrial Skills such as Mechanical, Electrical, Electronic and Drafting while their spiritual, emotional and personal growth are harnessed to make sure they are well-rounded individuals ready for their 18 months in-plant training after six months of intensive classroom-based education.
Buglas Foundation Inc, representatives Espinosa and Sarmiento advised the scholars to always be courteous and polite in dealing with their fellow students and instructors because they are carrying the name of the Province of Negros Occidental as Negrense scholars.
Dinsay also reported that a number of scholars from Batch 1 to 3 were absorbed by their respective companies in Luzon, and are currently under probationary status even before their graduation.
Board Member Ernesto Agustin Bascon, who chairs the Sangguniang Panlalawigan committee on Education, said that he is always glad to support Gov. Lacson, because the program benefits the under privileged youth and their families.
On the other hand, Lacson thanked Buglas Foundation for their solid support to the development and growth and well-being of the Dualtech Negrense scholars.
He urged the scholars to focus on their studies so that they will be able to build and achieve their dreams someday.
Lacson further emphasized that the provincial government will continue to be responsive to the needs of the Negrense youth for as long as they are determined to study and work hard to improve the quality of their lives.*
