As the Philippines continue to grapple with the effects of the ongoing oil crisis, the city government of Biñan, Laguna has ensured that students under its “Iskolar ng Biñan” (INB) program will continue to receive their much-needed lifeline.
Last April 17, Mayor Gel Alonte presided over the General Assembly and awarding of enrollment permits and vouchers to new INB scholars at the Alonte Sports Arena.
Aside from INB scholars, beneficiaries of the Artista at Atletang Biñanense College (ABC) Scholarship Program also received financial assistance for the Academic Year 2026-2027.
In his message during the event, Alonte highlighted the vital role of the city’s taxpayers in ensuring the success of the INB program.
“Magpasalamat po tayo sa ating mga taxpayers. Hindi namin inaangkin ang ang programang ito – yung pondo ng city, dapat lang gamitin sa tama. Kami lang po ang po ang implementor nito,” the city executive emphasized.
Increased funding
City officials estimate that over 500 INB and ABC scholars received their vouchers during the April 17 event, thanks to increased funding for the program.
From P100 million last year, during the term of former Mayor (and current Representative) Arman Dimaguila, the city government was able to allot P130 million for the INB program, according to City Education Officer Dr. Edmil Recibe.
“Nagkaroon po kami ng supplemental funds, so more or less P130 million na po ang nailaan natin para dito,” Recibe told OpinYon Laguna.
Under the INB scholarship program, beneficiaries receive P20,000 from the city government per semester, ABC beneficiaries receive P10,000 worth of financial assistance.
“Full scholarship po ang programa natin, hindi lang po ito financial assistance,” Recibe stressed.
Strict vetting
This is one of the reasons the City Education Office has imposed strict standards for students wishing to become a scholar of the local government, he added.
For instance, ABC beneficiaries will be accepted only upon the recommendation of the Biñan City Youth and Sports Development Office (for athlete-scholars) and the Biñan City Culture, History, Arts and Tourism Office (for artist-scholars).
Meanwhile, to become a bona fide INB scholar, students must rank among the Top 10 of their batch, the ranking to be determined by their respective schools based on their General Weighted Average (GWA).
However, the city government has also made it easier for students and their beneficiaries to comply with other requirements for the program.
“In fact, hindi mahirap yung requirements. Kasi PSA, yung birth certificate nila, certificate of residency, and then voter’s ID, certification coming from BIR regarding their tax, ITR. Kung no income naman, may certification din yun,” Recibe explained.
Beyond INB
Another reason the city government has instituted strict vetting for its INB and ABC beneficiaries is the expectation that these students, through their future achievements, will also be able to contribute to Biñan City’s socio-economic growth after they finish school.
According to Recibe, the city government has also ensured that their scholars will be given preference for employment in the city’s businesses, as well as for local government, upon their graduation.
“Our goal is to produce productive citizens,” the city education official emphasized to OpinYon Laguna.
“Ito po ang pangarap ng city government ng Biñan: na ang ating mga iskolar ay magkaroon ng magandang trabaho, makatulong sila sa pamilya, at makatulong sila sa komunidad.”
Future plans
Aside from expanding the INB and the ABC program, Recibe added that the city is now pushing for its plans to establish a Biñan City College that will also cater to Biñanense students seeking affordable yet quality education.
“May mga options na po kami [for the Biñan City College], pero pinag-aaralan pa po namin. We are just looking for an ideal location,” he explained.
The establishment of the Biñan City College has been high on the priorities in Mayor Alonte’s executive-legislative agenda since he was elected in 2025.
“Kami naman po sa city government ay hindi po nagpapabaya. Sisiguraduhin ko po, kapag nabuksan na po ang Biñan City College, lahat po ng benefits, lahat po ng tuition fees, lahat po ng gastos – baon na lang po ang hihingin ninyo sa inyong mga magulang,” Alonte said in his message during the event.
Meanwhile, the city government is also looking at persuading large business establishments operating in the city to provide scholarships for students, as part of their corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs.
“Aside from that, we also tap universities and colleges kung anong mga academic programs or financial programs, assistance programs na pwede na ma-extend sa ating mga mag-aaral, sa ating mga students,” Recibe added.
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