Davao City Councilor Proposes Ordinance to Strengthen Educational Benefit System Unit
Davao City Councilor Atty. Antoinette "Petite" Principe has introduced a significant legislative proposal aimed at institutionalizing and enhancing the Educational Benefit System Unit (Ebsu). This initiative seeks to expand support for students requiring financial and academic assistance throughout the city.
Consolidating Educational Support Programs
Principe, who chairs the Committee on Education, Science and Technology, Arts and Culture, explained that the proposed ordinance would consolidate all previous executive orders and related measures governing Ebsu's operations. "We want to collate everything and come up with an ordinance that would cover all that the Ebsu has given," she stated during a media interview at the Sanguniang Panlungsod on Tuesday.
The councilor emphasized that the ordinance would include the "Iskolar ng Tribu" program initiated by former City Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative Rodulfo Mande, along with other educational assistance initiatives that have evolved since Ebsu's establishment in 2011.
Current Scholarship Programs and Funding
For the current School Year 2025–2026, Ebsu has accepted approximately 453 scholars across various educational levels:
- Tertiary Education Scholars (424 students): Divided into three categories with varying financial support levels ranging from ₱15,000 to ₱50,000 per scholar.
- Law School Scholars (17 students): Comprising seven full scholars receiving ₱50,000 plus ₱8,000 book allowance per semester, and ten half scholars receiving ₱25,000 plus ₱4,000 book allowance.
- Medical School Scholars (12 students): Full scholars receive ₱140,000 plus ₱20,000 book allowance per semester, while half scholars receive ₱70,000 plus ₱10,000 book allowance.
In 2024 alone, Ebsu reported that 2,512 scholars benefited from its various programs, demonstrating the unit's substantial impact on local education accessibility.
Legislative Process and Future Outlook
Although the ordinance remains pending, Principe has already raised the proposal during a privilege speech in the council session and moved for its approval on first reading. She aims for passage before the 2027 budget deliberations to ensure proper funding allocation.
"We expect only minimal changes, considering the program has been running effectively for years," Principe noted regarding the proposed ordinance. She clarified that while Ebsu currently receives funding from the City Mayor's Office, any future funding increases would remain at the mayor's discretion.
About the Educational Benefit System Unit
Ebsu operates as a local government-run education assistance unit that consolidates and manages scholarship and educational aid programs for qualified Davao residents. Established under Executive Order No. 27, series of 2011, the office centralizes all education-related assistance from the city government.
The unit oversees multiple programs including:
- The Scholarship on Tertiary Education Program (Step)
- The Special Educational Assistance Program (Seap)
- Technical and vocational training support
- Various sector-specific educational initiatives
This proposed ordinance represents a significant step toward formalizing and expanding educational opportunities for Davao City students, ensuring that financial barriers don't prevent qualified individuals from pursuing higher education.
