PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. underscored the importance of education, urging students to make the most of opportunities provided to them and to strive for academic excellence.

Addressing 130 Presidential Scholars in General Santos City, Marcos encouraged the youth to value their studies and recognize education as a key to a better future.

“Kaya’t ang advice ko lang sa inyo, lagi kong sinasabi sa ating mga presidential scholar… mapakinabangan ninyo ito at mag-aral kayong mabuti at napakahalaga ng magandang edukasyon,” he said.

The President explained that funding for the government’s scholarship program is sourced from the Socio-Civic Project Fund, with ₱100,000 allocated from the ₱200,000 provided to each barangay.

Under the program, five scholars from each barangay receive ₱20,000 in financial assistance.

“Ang ginawa namin, bawat barangay bibigyan namin ng ₱200,000 kada barangay. Pero, ang sinabi lang namin sa ating mga barangay official, ‘yung kalahati nun, ‘yung ₱100,000… ₱20,000 ang ibibigay sa limang scholar na galing doon sa barangay. At kayo ngayon ang naging beneficiary niyan,” Marcos told the scholars.

He added that the initiative aims to ease the financial burden on families, particularly for students who are at risk of not finishing their studies due to lack of funds.

“Kaya namin ginawa ito para mas maging madali, lalo na ‘yung mga malapit na mag-graduate, pero ‘yung iba hindi makakapag-graduate dahil kulang ang pambayad. Kaya’t ‘yun ang mga hinahanap namin, matulungan para makapag-graduate, para may diploma na, may certificate na at marami kayong magagawa upang tulungan ang inyong mga sarili, ang inyong pamilya, at ang inyong community,” the President said.