60,000 Muntinlupa scholars to receive allowances in advance amid COVID-19 impact

The City Council of Muntinlupa has passed an ordinance to distribute in advance scholarship allowances for June to August in light of the financial impact of the coronavirus disease.

In a Facebook post on Tuesday, the Muntinlupa Scholarship Program announced the early release of the allowances for around 60,000 student beneficiaries.

“Labis po tayong nagpapasalamat sa Ordinansa ng ating Sangguniang Panglungsod na mai-distribute "in advance" ang allowance ng ating mga iskolars para sa June hanggang August ng taong ito,” it said.

Majority Floor Leader Councilor Raul Corro on Monday said that the ordinance, which was passed on Monday, was in response to the effects of COVID-19.

“Binibigay na ngayon ang first quarter allowances (January to March) pero dahil sa ordinansa, pati ang allowances for June to August ay pwede ng ibigay sa lalong madaling panahon,” he said in a Facebook post.

The Facebook page of the Muntinlupa Scholarship Program explained that there might be some delays in the distribution as the government also considers the safety of the beneficiaries in the process.

“Binabalanse po natin ang makapagbigay ng tulong/allowance sa ating mga iskolars na talagang kailangang-kailangan sa panahong ito habang hindi din naman nako-kompromiso ang kalusugan ng ating mga kababayan na maaaring pumila sa mga school o iba pang lokasyon oras na tayo ay magkaroon ng distribution,” it said.

“Bilang tugon, ang MSP ay magpo-post ng mga updates ng mga susunod pang schools sa lalung madaling panahon, basta masiguro ang social distancing at iba pang precautionary measures alinsunod sa panuntunan ng DOH at COVID-19 Inter Agency Task Force (IATF),” it added.

Elementary and alternative learning system students receive an allowance of P4,000 per year. For junior high school students, the government allocates P5,000, while for senior high school students, P6,000 per year.

Further, State Universities and Colleges students, including beneficiaries of Continuing Assistance for Reintegrating Students Program, can now receive a maximum incentive of P10,000 per semester.

As of Monday, Muntinlupa City has 64 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with four fatalities and one recovery. The local authorities are keeping track of 212 persons under investigation and 278 persons under monitoring. — Joviland Rita/BM, GMA News