Guv seals pact on maritime scholarship

By: Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD City – Negros Occidental Governor Bong Lacson signed a Memorandum of Agreement with VMA Global College, John B. Lacson Colleges Foundation (JBLCF), Manning Companies, and scholar-grantees for the Provincial Governments Maritime Scholarship at the Provincial Capitol on Nov. 21.

The provincial government will pay for the education of the students while the school ensure employment after a year training of the students.

The qualified students were granted scholarship on a Study Now, Pay Later scheme at VMA Global College, and John B. Lacson Colleges Foundation in Bacolod City who must complete their academic requirements for the degree Bachelor of Science in Marine Engineering and Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation in the respective schools.

JBLCF Bacolod was represented by its administrator, Engr. Roberto Neal Sobrejuanite while VMA was represented by its college president, Dr. Elizabeth Salabas.

The scholarship is a tripartite endeavor of the provincial government of Negros Occidental, maritime schools, and manning companies, aimed to provide educational benefits to the poor but deserving Negrense students.

For its part, the provincial government will pay the tuition and school fees, while the manning companies commit to grant employment for the scholars after a year of shipboard training.

The manning companies include Inter-world Shipping Corp. represented by Jesser Cordova and Grecel Balcicas; Solpia Marine and Ship Management represented by its president, C/E Romano Mariano and Lee Sanghyeun; Marlow Navigation represented by Senior Crewing Manager, Joemar Masacote; Misuga Management Services, Inc. represented by Deputy General Manager C/E Arnel Gonzales; and PACC-POSH Fleet Services with its Operations Manager Capt. Adrian Ludovice, among others.

Negros Occidental Scholarship Program head, Karen Dinsay and the parents of the scholars also witnessed the MOA signing.

Lacson said he always believes in the abilities and competence of every Negrense youth, he also advised them to do good in their studies and not waste the opportunity given to them.

The parents of the scholars thanked Gov. Lacson for the scholarship opportunity given to their children, that according to them is be a big help towards a promising future for their family.