THE CITY of Baguio has approved an ordinance that seeks to provide monthly allowance to qualified K-12 students in public elementary and secondary schools.

Authored by Councilor Levy Lloyd Orcales, with Vice Mayor Faustino Olowan and Councilor Vladimir Cayabas as co-authors, the ordinance aims to lessen absences and dropouts among learners due to financial constraints.

“An amount of at least P2 million shall be appropriated every year under the general fund of the city government for the purpose,” the city government said.

“The ordinance is anchored on the principle that education is for all,” it added.

Under the ordinance, 300 screened students in the Schools Division of Baguio City shall receive a monthly allowance for the entire school year.

Qualified students from Kindergarten to Grade Six shall receive P500 monthly while learners from Grade 7 to Grade 12 shall receive P1,000.

To qualify for the scholarship grant, a student must be enrolled for the ensuing school year in any public school within the Schools Division of Baguio City; parents’ joint monthly income must not exceed P150,000 annually; and must not have an existing stipend and/or scholarship grant from any agency, company, and/or individual regardless of the amount being received.

An applicant must not have intentions to enroll in schools outside Baguio City; must not incur a number of absences that is 5% (or higher) of the total number of school days for the ensuing school year; must have passing remarks in all subjects in every grading period; and must be actively involved in all curricular and co-curricular activities of DepEd and the city.

To apply for the program, students must submit a letter of intent; an application form; a certification from the City Social Welfare and Development Office that the applicant belongs to an indigent family; endorsement letter from the school head; and an essay on the applicant’s family background (may be written using the vernacular language).