Solon seeks CHED, SUC scholarships for kids of OFWs killed in Israel-Hamas war

House Deputy Majority Leader Alfred Delos Santos called on the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and state universities and colleges to make the dependents of three overseas Filipino workers killed in the conflict between Israel and Hamas militants beneficiaries of their scholarship programs.

In a statement, Delos Santos said it was the right of the state to care for the dependents of Angeline Aguirre, Paul Vincent Castelvi, and Loreta Alacre, particularly the college-aged ones and those who were about to enter college.

“Silang tatlo ang matuturing na mga bayani ng kasalukuyan panahon dahil sa nagbuwis sila ng buhay habang sila’y OFW, habang nag-aalaga ng kanilang mga pasyente. Nangyari iyan sa gitna ng maraming taon ng sakripisyo para sa pamilya, at pagbibigay dignidad sa lahat ng Pilipino at sa ating bansa,” the solon said.

(The three of them are considered heroes in these times because they sacrificed their lives as OFWs while caring for their patients. That happened after their many years of sacrifice for their families, giving dignity to all Filipinos and our country.)

Delos Santos said the CHED and SUCs had the flexibility to determine which of their scholarship programs, grants, or subsidies would apply to each dependent of the OFW fatalities.

GMA News Online sought comment from CHED on the matter, but it has yet to respond as of this posting.

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) said Sunday that repatriation of the remains of the three Filipino fatalities may take longer due to the ongoing war. — DVM, GMA Integrated News