INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY. The Iraynon Bukidnon from Barangay Latazon, Laua-an, showcases their unique culture through their dance and song during the Indigenous Peoples (IPs) Day in the Antique at the Binirayan Gymnasium in San Jose de Buenavista on Monday (Sept. 4, 2024). Governor Rhodora Cadiao said IPs are a priority in the provincial government’s educational assistance program to help them finish school. (PNA photo by Annabel Consuelo J. Petinglay)
Cesafinews | Antique allots $90 million in educational assistance | SAN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA, Antique – This School Year 2023-2024, the provincial government of Antique has allocated PHP90 million for its educational assistance program, which will prioritize indigenous peoples (IPs).
“The educational assistance is provided so that the IPs will have some funds to support their schooling,” said Antique Governor Rhodora Cadiao in her message delivered on Monday at the Binirayan Gymnasium during IP Day.
IPs from the Ati, Iraynon Bukidnon, and Cuyonin reside in remote barangays and have limited access to secondary education due to the absence of nearby schools.
“IPs are only able to access elementary education due to the distance between their homes and schools,” Cadiao said.
Due to the lack of employment opportunities in higher-paying jobs, the cycle of poverty continues within their communities because they only attain an elementary education.
On September 11, the provincial administration will begin accepting scholarship applications.
“Priority is given to IPs, so they only need to submit their registration form, birth certificate, and other pertinent documents,” said Irish Manlapaz, chief of the Antique Provincial Youth Development Office (PYDO) and program administrator for educational assistance.
Under the program, qualified undergraduate and graduate students can receive PHP6,000 per semester to be used for school supplies, board and lodging, and other educational expenses.
To qualify, IPs should not be a recipient of any scholarship grant from other scholarship-giving bodies.
Annually commemorating their significance in the province, 300 IPs congregated for their cultural presentation on IP Day.(via PNA)
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