BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The provincial government of Negros Occidental, represented by Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson, yesterday signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with John B. Lacson Colleges Foundation (JBLCF) – Bacolod, shipping companies, and 28 scholarship grantees of the Provincial Government’s “Study Now, Pay Later” Maritime Education Scholarship Program.
The maritime scholarship is a tripartite undertaking of the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental, JBLCF, and a manning company, that aims to provide educational benefits to the poor but deserving Negrense students who dream of becoming a seafarer.
JBLCF Bacolod was represented by its administrator, Engr. Roberto Neal Sobrejuanite, and the signing of the MOA at the JBLCFB in Brgy. Alijis, Bacolod City, was also witnessed by Karen Dinsay, Negros Occ. Scholarship Program Head, and parents of the scholars.
The 28 scholars will study Bachelor of Science in Marine Engineering and Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation.
They are from the cities of Bago, Cadiz, Kabankalan, La Carlota, Sagay, San Carlos, Silay, Talisay, and Victorias, and the towns of Calatrava, E.B. Magalona, Hinigaran, HInoba-an, Ilog, Isabela, Manapla, Murcia, and Don Salvador Benedicto.
As stipulated in the MOA, the provincial government will pay the tuition and school fees of the scholars, while the manning companies has committed to grant employment for the scholars after a year of shipboard training.
Lacson thanked JBLCF and the manning companies for collaborating with the Provincial Government, for the continued support and cooperation, and opening doors of possibilities for the scholars.
“The MOA signing for the establishment of the Maritime Education Scholarship Program is a big step towards our goal of making education accessible, especially to the less privileged but deserving Negrense students,” the governor said.*
