Proposed ‘Agriculture Scholar sa Sugbo Ordinance’ needs to be tweaked
Cebu City Councilor Pastor “Jun” Alcover, Jr. | CDN Digital file photo
CEBU CITY, Philippines — The Cebu City Council’s Committee on Laws, Ordinances, and Styling has recommended several modifications to Councilor Pastor Alcover Jr.’s proposed “Agriculture Scholar sa Sugbo Ordinance.”
In a report, the committee, chaired by Councilor Rey Gealon, lauded the proposed ordinance as it supports the agriculture sector by providing scholarships to Cebu City residents who would pursue a bachelor’s degree relevant to the field of agriculture.
However, the Committee suggested changing the age bracket of beneficiaries, from the proposed 15 years old to 30 years old to 18 years old and above, who would be qualified to receive the city’s scholarship.
The committee said the 15 years of age qualification, as stated in Alcover’s proposed ordinance, was not suitable since with the implementation of the K to 12 program under Republic Act No. 10533, otherwise known as Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013, high school graduates now were generally at the age of 18 to 19 years old.
Moreover, the committee suggested that the Agricultural studies be availed in schools offering courses relating to agriculture preferably within Cebu City and Cebu Province.
The committee also suggested that beneficiaries of the Agricultural scholarship be given “preferential employment opportunities” to serve the Cebu City government, especially at the City Agriculture Department or other offices wherein their expertise and knowledge are needed and applicable.
Proposed Agriculture Scholar sa Sugbo Ordinance
Alcover’s proposed ordinance or the “Agriculture Scholar sa Sugbo Ordinance” was adopted by the council last July 20, 2022 and was referred to the Committee on Laws, Ordinances, and Styling for review.
The ordinance will be available to all qualified Cebu City residents who must be bona fide Cebu City registered voters.
The applicant must pass the examination conducted by the primary implementor of the proposed ordinance.
Under the proposed ordinance, the Cebu City government will provide full scholarship grant to 10 qualified individuals annually who will take bachelor’s degree relating to Agriculture studies.
The grant will include transportation allowance, book allowance, uniform allowance, school fees, and tuition.
As to budget appropriation, Alcover proposed that a minimum amount of P2 million annually shall be charged to the General Fund for the immediate implementation of the provision of his proposed ordinance.
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