The City Government of Lapu-Lapu has approved an ordinance establishing a new financial assistance program for higher education, giving poor students a greater chance to attend college. The City Council passed Resolution No. 17-1857-2026 and implemented Ordinance No. 17-062-2026, which formally creates the Lapu-Lapu City Educational Assistance for Higher Education Program (EAHELLC).
Financial Aid Details
Under the ordinance, qualified beneficiaries will initially receive P5,000 in financial assistance per semester if they have a general weighted average (GWA) of 80% to 89%. Mayor Ma. Cynthia Cindi King-Chan, who approved the measure on May 20, 2026, stated in an official statement that the newly signed EAHELLC ordinance is an investment in the future of the youth, providing financial aid to deserving but poor college students in the city.
Education is truly our greatest equalizer, and through this program we continue to open more doors of opportunity, Chan said. She added that students who maintain high grades are also eligible for a Benefit to Upgrade. Under this, they can receive a higher semestral aid of P7,500 for those with a GWA of 90% to 94%, and up to P10,000 for those with a GWA of 95% to 100%.
Program Sustainability
As stated in the document provided to SunStar Cebu, the ordinance institutionalizes a sustainable educational assistance program designed to provide financial support to poor but academically qualified residents enrolled in colleges and universities within Cebu Province. Councilors Orlan Joseph Carungay and Annabeth Cuizon led the passage of the ordinance, which creates a city-funded educational assistance program aimed at helping needy students continue their college education.
The program also provides special incentives for students taking highly technical and priority degree programs such as Engineering, Social Work, Physics, Fisheries, Accountancy, Agriculture and Biosystems Engineering, Medicine, Law, and other specialized courses identified by Lapu-Lapu City.
