DAVAO CITY – City Councilor Antoinette Principe announced that any expansion of scholarship slots under the Educational System Benefit Unit (EBSU) will depend on the availability of city funds and approval from the city government.
Approval Process Required
Principe, who chairs the committee on education, science, and technology, emphasized that increasing EBSU slots would require authorization from the City Mayor’s Office and the City Council through the committee on finance, ways and means, and appropriations. She stated that EBSU currently operates with a budget of P92 million.
Commitment to Students
“We really want Dabawenyos, especially indigent and deserving students, to benefit from the program,” Principe said during the Pulong-Pulong sa Dabawenyos on Tuesday, May 12, at the Sangguniang Panlungsod. She noted that the proposed ordinance aims to institutionalize EBSU, which has been running for years via an executive order from the City Mayor’s Office.
The council has conducted several committee hearings and is now finalizing the ordinance. Additionally, the city government is exploring scholarship support for athletes in Davao City.
High Demand, Limited Slots
Earlier, Emilio Domingo revealed during the ISpeak media forum on May 7 at the City Mayor’s Office that EBSU received 2,200 scholarship applications for assessment. He said the office still needs to conduct assessments and interviews because only 300 scholarship slots are currently available.
Background of EBSU
EBSU was established in 2011 through Executive Order No. 27 to consolidate and manage scholarship and educational assistance programs for qualified Davao residents. The office oversees programs such as the Scholarship on Tertiary Education Program, Special Educational Assistance Program, technical-vocational training support, and other education initiatives.
Scholarship Benefits
Under the tertiary scholarship program, Part A scholars receive P50,000 each, Part B scholars receive P40,000, and Part C scholars receive P15,000. The city also supports 17 law school scholars, including seven full scholars who receive P50,000 plus a P8,000 book allowance per semester, and 10 half scholars who receive P25,000 plus a P4,000 book allowance. Medical school scholars receive P140,000 plus a P20,000 book allowance per semester for full scholarships, while half scholars receive P70,000 plus a P10,000 book allowance.
