A scholarship assistance program launched by the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Municipal Federation in Bagamanoc is helping not only qualified college and senior high school students but also preparing them for a role in local disaster preparedness.
Sixteen of the 18 Sangguniang Kabataan in the town have already released the “iSKolar” cash assistance to 533 students, or 95 percent of the entire college student population of Bagamanoc, SKMF President Mark Justin Fernandez recently reported, with a total of P732,500.00 in funding already distributed.
The cash aid ranges from P1,500 to P6,000 per student, depending on the SK in the barangay.
Under the program, the beneficiary students would be included as members of the Task Force “reSKyu”, which addresses the new guidelines on Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) issued by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) that strengthens the youth council’s role in DRRM.
Fernandez said the task force would not only involve the SKs but also other stakeholders in the youth community.
“We will be introducing Basic Life Support Training at the community level,” he added. ”We are calling for the support of all youth stakeholders, especially the beneficiaries of the “iSKolar” program to participate and get involved. This program will also maximize the impact of our programs while also line-streaming it.”
Bagamanoc has kept its SKs in the barangays intact since the 18 chairmen and 118 members were elected in the May 14, 2018 barangay and SK elections.