Cadiz City’s “unique scholarship” program drew more than 5,000 student-applicants for the second semester of school year 2023-2024 at the Cadiz Arena on Saturday and Sunday, February 17 and 18, Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr. said.
The scholarships are open to old and new scholars and even to walk-in college students as long as they are bonafide Cadiz residents, Escalante said in a press release on Monday, February 19.
Processing of applications will commence this week, and the final results will be announced before the second semester starts next week.
The scholarship program is unique because the 23-year-old Cadiz City Education Assistance Program (CCEAP) is not just for the brightest or academically-excellent students, but for the mediocre ones, too, Escalante said.
“For as long as the city government can afford, we will not be choosy,” Escalante said.
The CCEAP is not just for the poor, deserving or brightest college students, even the mediocre ones are very much welcome, he said.
CCEAP, which is Escalante’s “brainchild” founded 23 years ago, is inspired by the life stories of the famous taipans like John Gokongwei, Lucio Tan and even Ramon Ang.
“Academically speaking, these renowned taipans were just average students during their college days.
“But, undoubtedly, they excelled in business,” the mayor said.
“So, who knows some Cadiz students maybe mediocre now, but tomorrow they could also be ‘the best’ in their chosen endeavors”, he said.
Cadiz allocates P16 million per semester or P32 million per year for CCEAP.
Escalante said the city government is also set to establish its own city college soon.
“Our CCEAP allocation per year is more than enough to run a city/community college, so, we are in the stage now of finalizing the plan,” the mayor said.*