ALLAN Dave Patubo with Governor Imee Marcos (Alaric Yanos photo)
By Jennifer T. Pambid
PGIN-CMO
Allan Dave Patubo of the Mariano Marcos State University College of
Industrial Technology after graduating as magna cum laude, expressed his thanks
to the “Iskolar Ni Manang Imee” Program of the Provincial Government of Ilocos
Norte (PGIN) for being a big part of his success.
Mr.
Patubo, together with the 12 cum laude student beneficiaries of the program, is
among this year’s 250 provincial scholars from different colleges and
universities in the province.
As
a son of a tricycle driver and a housewife, he said that his four-year struggle
in college was hard but he didn’t consider it as hindrance in pursuing his
dream of earning a degree in Bachelor of Technical Teacher Education (Major in
Electronics Technology).
“I
used to walk from our house [Brgy. 12, Laoag City] to school and I also
experienced having only 10 pesos in hand. When we had to pay contributions at
school, I was always one of the last to pay because we really had no money. But
I knew those hardships will pay off as long as I persevere in my studies,” he
related.
Before
knowing about the program, Mr. Patubo was able to enroll for the first semester
in college with the help of the cash gifts he earned from his high school
graduation. He then had no idea how to sustain his studies until one of his
teachers introduced to him the “Iskolar Ni Manang Imee” program.
“[My
parents] told me to stop for second year college but with the help of ‘Iskolar
ni Manang Imee,’ we were able to resolve our financial difficulty. The monthly
stipends were really a big help,” he said.
Mr.
Patubo further said that the financial support from the “Iskolar Ni Manang
Imee” program was his only hope for finishing college and is thus thankful to Ilocos
Norte Governor Ma. Imelda “Imee” R. Marcos “for [creating] this kind of program
for poor and deserving students like me.”
On
March 26, 2015, Ms. Marcos led the distribution of stipends to the 250
beneficiaries consisting of both academic and leadership scholars.
Each
scholar receives a total of P15,650.00 per semester which covers their tuition
fee, board and lodging, transportation allowances and other daily expenses.
During
the program, she stressed that scholarship assistance should not only be given
to students with high grades and educational background but also, and
especially, to those who are very eager to learn but have small chances of
finishing their studies.
Ms.
Marcos took pride in all graduating students, especially Mr. Patubo, and their
parents as well who attended the program.
“We’ve
seen clearly that wherever we may come from, whatever our economic backgrounds
are, in the end we can reach the victory. You’re an inspiration to all of us,
the very best of Ilocos Norte, the governor said.”
She
also assured them that PGIN will continue focusing on the welfare of the youth
and will try its best to help them in raising their quality of life.
“This
is a mere beginning for all of us, as one family. Let us continue working
together in order to uplift our families and above all, every one of you would
realize the best that you can be, to your fullest potentials in the service of
Ilocos Norte,” she concluded.
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