Inquirer·Philippines·Sunday, September 6, 2026 at 02:40 AM

Recto: Gov’t seeks permanence for presidential scholarship program

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Mel N. Velez

One hundred fifty-five college students representing all 31 barangays of Quezon, Bukidnon, gather for the orientation and awarding ceremony where they were officially named Presidential Scholars under the Socio-Civic Projects Fund (SCPF). The beneficiaries engaged with Executive Secretary Ralph Recto and local officials during the event, on September 4, receiving grants to support their final-year college expenses. — One hundred fifty-five college students representing all 31 barangays of Quezon, Bukidnon, gather for the orientation and awarding ceremony, where they were officially named Presidential Scholars under the Socio-Civic Projects Fund (SCPF). The beneficiaries engaged with Executive Secretary Ralph Recto and local officials during the event on September 4, receiving grants to support their final-year college expenses. —Photo by LGU Quezon

QUEZON, BUKIDNON, Philippines — Executive Secretary Ralph Recto announced here on Friday that the administration of President Marcos is pushing to institutionalize the Expanded Presidential Merit Scholarship Program to ensure equitable access to education across every barangay in the country.

During a visit here, Recto accorded 155 college students from the town’s 31 barangays the award as Presidential Scholars under the Socio-Civic Projects Fund (SCPF).

The initiative provides funding across Bukidnon’s 464 villages to support five graduating college students with P20,000 each for final-year expenses, totaling P6.2 million for Quezon, and 2,320 scholars province-wide.

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During the rollout, Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri announced that the Senate has approved the proposed measure on second reading, with final third-reading approval expected shortly.

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Zubiri noted that the bill aims to eliminate historical favoritism in past scholarship grants by institutionalizing fixed scholarship slots for all 45,000-plus barangays nationwide.

READ: Marcos meets San Juan scholars, leads school supplies distribution

Once enacted into law, the program will transition from an administration-dependent initiative into a permanent fixture, guaranteeing sustained educational support for underprivileged youth.

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Meanwhile, Quezon Mayor Pablo Lorenzo III said the local government maintains its own educational assistance program, increasing its local tally to 250 scholars across various barangays.

Both national and local programs are designed to provide comprehensive financial support to empower youth and uplift families from poverty. /cb

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