Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia urged Mansilingan college students on Sunday, October 24, to do their best in school as this will be their ticket for a better future.
“Do well in school and you will go places,” Leonardia was quoted as saying in a Bacolod Public Information Office press release.
Leonardia made the remarks as he led officials during the turnover of educational assistance to 60 college students residing in Barangay Mansilingan, at a program held at the Mansilingan Agro-Industrial High School.
The release of the financial aid, which was sourced from the barangay funds, was facilitated by the Sangguniang Kabataan of Mansilingan, led by chairperson Fercy Lyn Almaiz.
Each of the 60 student-recipients received P2,000 under the SK-led program. This was the Batch 1 of the 130 recipients.
Another batch will receive a similar assistance in November, said Almaiz, who joined Leonardia during the turnover rites Sunday.
Other city officials who earlier joined the distribution ceremony were Rep. Greg Gasataya, Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, Councilor Carl Lopez, and Grupo Progreso members Ed Guillem, Marlon Solidum, and Dr. Chris Sorongon, the press release said.
Leonardia said that one of his fulfilling moments in life is when he is randomly approached by some young people and told him they are graduates of Bacolod City College and they are employed in good companies now.
Leonardia said education is one of the top priorities of his administration, and even when he was yet councilor.
On his first term as mayor, he established the Bacolod City College in 1997 and worked for its expansion through the years, the press release said.*