Awards await Cebuano topnotchers
Cebuano topnotchers in professional licensure examinations will have more reasons to celebrate.
The Cebu City Council has approved an ordinance giving incentives to Cebu City residents who get into the top ten of the licensure examinations conducted by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) as well as the Bar Examinations conducted by the Supreme Court for aspiring lawyers.
“The City of Cebu understands the hardships and efforts exerted by every board or bar candidate that an incentive to the topnotchers is proper and reasonable,” read the ordinance which was authored by Councilors Hanz Abella and Mary Ann delos Santos.
“Cebuano topnotchers bring pride, honor and serve as inspiration especially to the youth sector and studentry,” it further reads.
The money and a plaque of recognition will be awarded during the City’s Charter Day Celebration.
“Aside from commendations coming from the Council, we should also give them cash incentives to encourage them to strive hard,” said delos Santos during the final deliberation of the ordinance last week.
The cash incentives they will receive will be based on their ranking and the kind of examination they took.
The Top 1 in Physician’s Board Exam and Bar Exams will receive P100,000. Second to 5th placers will receive P50,000 and P20,000 will be given to the 6th to 10th placers.
For the Top 1 in other PRC licensure exams, they will receive P50,000. Second to 5th placers will receive P25,000 and P15,000 will be given to 6th to 10th placers.
For a topnotcher to qualify, he or she must be a registered voter in Cebu City even if studying elsewhere. They must also be of good moral character and should not have committed any crime that would bring dishonor to the city.
But this qualification was questioned by Councilor Alvin Dizon who suggested that the recognition be given to any student of any school within the city.
“In most cases, some topnotchers are not from Cebu City. If they’re not registered, that will be discriminating,” he pointed out.
But the other members of the City Council, including Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella, contended that the incentive is given to a Cebuano topnotcher and not to a topnotcher of a Cebu City school.
Councilor Abella also said those studying in Cebu can choose to register in the city in order to avail of the incentive since they are already old enough to be able to register before they graduate.
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