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NEWS
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Helping Secure the Future of Soldiers’ Children
De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) recently signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Armed Forces of the Philippines Educational Benefit System (AFPEBS) for a scholarship partnership that aims to reach out to the dependents of military personnel in need of educational benefits and assistance.
While the College has been regularly offering scholarships to freshman applicants who are children of military personnel who died or have been incapacitated in the line of duty, the agreement adds on to the existing Presidential Decree No. 577 (PD577).
In the agreement, DLS-CSB provides 100% tuition and fees subsidy to dependents of military personnel, while the AFPEBS provides an annual stipend amounting to PhP8,000 which will cover incidental costs of education.
The College has also committed to providing undergraduate educational assistance to ten dependents of military personnel at any given time; and that at least 70% of the beneficiaries shall be dependents of soldiers who were killed-in-action, combat or non-combat casualties rendered complete disability discharge, or deceased military personnel.
In his speech, DLS-CSB President Br. Victor A. Franco FSC latched on to the shared goal of the College and AFP in providing access to quality education and adding that “there is no one more deserving than those whose parents have sacrificed their lives to ensure peace of mind,” protection and security to the nation.
AFP Deputy Chief of Staff LtGen Rodrigo F. Maclang AFP, in his closing remarks, extended his deepest gratitude to DLS-CSB for “heeding the call” and “setting a benchmark” in providing better and brighter opportunities to dependents of military personnel.
The signing was held at the AFP Commissioned Officers Club on January 13, 2009. Aside from Br. Franco, Vice President for Academics Robert L. Tang, and Student Grants Director Sofia Caccam were present on behalf of DLS-CSB. LtGen Rodrigo Maclang was joined by Asst. Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel J1 Col. Raoul J Reyes PA (GSC) and AFPEBS Office Chief/General Manager LTC Alexander V. Ambal PA (GSC) on behalf of the AFP.
AFPEBS-DLS-CSB grantees Jan Michael Duran and Chrised Sta. Maria witnessed the signing. The first-year Hotel, Restaurant and Institution Management program students spoke briefly about their fathers and how beneficial PD577 has been to their lives.
PD577 is covered by the Benildean Hope Scholarship (BHS), a type of Financial Assistance Grant offered to DLS-CSB applicants belonging to special populations and are under the care of and endorsed by non-government organizations (NGOs), indigenous communities identified and recognized by the College, and other recognized organizations who believe in the same advocacy.
The agreement with AFP was initiated by AVP for Learning and Information Systems and Services Ma. Victoria M. Dayao with AFPEBS Program Development Officer Gilbert E. Soliven in line with the College’s goal of having 20% full scholarship equivalent of its student population.
- From a report by Vida Cuaresma
For further information on the College’s scholarship programs, please contact the DLS-CSB Student Grants Office at 526-7441 to 47 loc. 163 or 211.
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