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Mayor to scholars: Don’t gamble, use educational subsidy wisely

City PIO photo

Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia told student-grantees of the government’s Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) Monday, September 13, to spend their money wisely and not to waste the financial assistance they receive for any gambling activity because it is intended for their essential educational needs.

“Use your TES correctly, rightly, judiciously and wisely. Not all students will get the same benefits. To those much is given, much is also expected. So do not waste it for gambling,” Leonardia told the 119 scholar-grantees from the Bacolod City College (BCC) during distribution rites held at the lobby of the Bacolod City Government Center.

He also advised the students to stay away from vices such as drinking and drugs.

Each grantee received P20,000 for their TES for a total of P2.38 million for the first semester of school year 2020-21 on top of their free tuition and other benefits, Dr. Johanna Ann Rabago-Bayoneta, BCC administrator, said.

In May this year, 174 BCC grantees were released their TES representing their subsidy for two semesters covering school year 2019-2020 at P40,000 each for a total of P6.96 million, she added.

Joining Leonardia at the distribution rites were Councilor Bartolome Orola Sr., Bayoneta and city consultant Marlon Solidum.

The TES is provided for under Republic Act 10931 or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education.

Bayoneta said of the 119 student-grantees, 60 are from Bacolod, while the others are from various cities and towns of Negros Occidental.

TES is a grant-in-aid program of the government that is being implemented by the Commission on Higher Education and the Unified Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education or, UniFAST.

“This is for your future. Once you have received your TES money, use it wisely. Do not use it for gambling because gambling will make your lives miserable,” Leonardia told the college students, who are from Bacolod City and other towns and cities of Negros Occidental.

Many BCC scholarship-grantees used the financial subsidy they got from the government to buy either laptops or mobile phones that are essential tools for the blended learning modes, while face-to-face classes are still banned.*

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