The Negros Occidental Provincial Gender and Development (GAD) Focal Point System Executive Committee approved the reprogramming of ₱6.9 million in funds to strengthen clean water access, scholarship offerings, and support services for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) across the province.
Chaired by Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, the committee reallocated ₱5 million from the Provincial Health Office’s Advocacy on Zero Open Defecation Program to the Provincial Integrated Safe Water Program, managed under the Provincial Administrator’s Office.
An additional ₱1.9 million in savings from the Negros Occidental Scholarship Program (NOSP) Division was realigned to bolster targeted social and educational initiatives. The original savings were drawn from the District Education Scholarship (₱800,000), Degree Completion Scholarship for OFWs (₱300,000), and the Abanse Negrense IT Business Scholarship (₱800,000).
Under the approved realignments, the ₱1.9 million will now fund:
- Children of Non-Returning OFW Scholarship: ₱800,000
- Midwifery Scholarship: ₱400,000
- Employment Support Strategies for Negrenses (OFW Financial Assistance): ₱700,000
During the meeting, Negros Occidental Language and Information Technology Center (NOLITC) OIC Cely Carman-Trio also requested the realignment of ₱1.050 million previously earmarked for Visual Graphic Design tuition and fees, which the governor approved.
The funds will now cover dormitory and meal expenses for students, following a ₱2.1 million scholarship grant from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) that covers full tuition for 74 beneficiaries across three batches.
The executive meeting was attended by Vice Governor and GAD Execom Vice Chair Jose Benito Alonso, along with Board Members Rita Gatuslao (Committee on Women and Family), Lawrence Marxlen Dela Cruz (Committee on Finance), Richard Sablan (Provincial Liga ng mga Barangay), and Mayvelyn Madrid (Provincial SK Federation).*
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