Taguig’s new LANI scholars reach 7,800

30,000 scholarships given to date

 The number of new scholars benefitting from Taguig’s P300-million scholarship fund almost breached the 8,000 mark as over 3,800 new recipients of the Lifeline Assistance for Neighbors In-Need (LANI) Scholarship Program have started receiving their financial aid this week.

 “This is indeed a milestone in our efforts to funnel a vast majority of our resources to funding the dreams of our children here in Taguig. I am very proud that more and more students are opting to seek higher education through our scholarship fund,” said Mayor Lani Cayetano.

 The local chief executive led city officials in handing over certificates and financial assistance to a total of 3,862 beneficiaries of the city’s scholarship fund starting Wednesday and will go on until Friday.

 The first two batches of new LANI scholars for this semester – 3,962 in total – were already awarded their grants in August of this year, which brings the total of new recipients to 7,824. They were awarded on separate occasions at the Technological University of the Philippines-Taguig (TUP-Taguig) grounds and at the Taguig City University auditorium.

 “This is an unprecedented increase in the number of LANI scholars in the history of the program. Since the city government increased the fund to P300 million this year, more and more poor but deserving students are being given a chance to go to college,” Mayor Lani said.

 According to Bootes Lopos, head of the Taguig’s Policy and Education Office, the almost 8,000 new LANI scholars are just for this semester alone.

 “We will have more than 5,000 more when the second semester starts in October,” Lopos said.

 In handing out the financial grants, Mayor Lani congratulated the students and their parents whom she said was her inspiration in championing the LANI Scholarship Program.

 “To our scholars, old and new, I challenge all of you to reach out for your dreams and help lead a better life for your families.”

 So far, more than 30,000 scholarships have been given away under the program since its inception during Mayor Lani’s first term in 2010.

 The city government of Taguig had earlier increased the funding for its scholarship program from last year’s P200 million to P300 million in 2013 as part of its efforts to boost the education sector.

 The LANI program has seven basic categories of scholarship: basic scholarship or financial assistance; full scholarships; state universities and colleges (SUCs) and local universities and colleges (LUCs) scholarships; premier/specialized schools scholarships; leaders and educators advancement and development (LEAD); review assistance program for bar and board reviewees; and priority courses and skills training.

 With the increase, the Cayetano administration is sending a clear signal that education remains a priority of the Taguig City government. ###