The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Bohol, led by Vice Governor Rene Lopez Relampagos, approved on its third and final reading the Revised Bohol Educational Subsidy Program on Tuesday, April 12, 2022.

The program’s approval meant additional assistance to scholars of the Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh).

The program, which was established in 2010, aims to provide a one-time per semester financial assistance to college students.

Based on the approved revised ordinance, the financial assistance granted by the PGBh to every qualified student-beneficiary is increased to P4,000 per semester.

Likewise, the Subsidy Fund Allocation was increased to not less than P9.6 million annually.

Prior to the approval of the proposed ordinance, Subsidy Fund Allocation was only pegged at P8.4 million per year, and with the financial assistance extended to scholars is set at P3,500 per semester.

Furthermore, there is an added provision in the proposed ordinance regarding the functions and responsibilities of the Screening Panel. The panel is now tasked to prepare and administer the written examination for qualified applicants.

Peter Retutal the head of the Provincial Budget and Management Office said that the amendment in the budgetary allocation for this program was already incorporated in the Annual Budget for 2022.