Gov't launches new merit-based scholarship program

The Marcos administration on Friday launched the Bagong Pilipinas Merit-Based Scholarship Program, which highlights the government’s unified approach to strengthening access and equity in the Philippine education system.

This program was in partnership with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the Department of Education (DepEd), and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

In his speech read by llocos Norte Representative Ferdinand Alexander ''Sandro'' Marcos, President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. said that through this scholarship, the top five graduates of each senior high school across the country will have the opportunity to pursue in any high-performing higher education or technical vocational institution, undergraduate degree, or TVET diploma programs.

''These programs shall be aligned with our national priority sectors based on our country's real and urgent needs that, if left unaddressed, would hold back national development,'' Marcos said.

''And to ensure that the BPMSP is carried out with clarity and integrity, we will formalize this commitment through the signing of the BPMSP policies and guidelines today,'' he added.

Meanwhile, Marcos said the government also launched the Project Patuloy na Edukasyon, Patuloy na Pag-Ahon or Project PEPA, a nationwide information caravan for families under the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program.

''Through Project PEPA, we bring clear and timely information on government-funded education opportunities directly to students and their families,'' Marcos said.

He added that the program would reach around 490,000 senior high school graduates from 4Ps households. 

''Because when families are informed, they are empowered. When students know what is available, they can plan their future with confidence,'' Marcos said. 

The government also developed CHED-TANAW, the Commission's National Higher Education Data Visualization Platform, which provides an integrated, data-driven view of higher education institutions, higher education enrollment, scholarships, and graduate outcomes.

''It strengthens transparency, it supports better policymaking, and through interactive maps and official data, it guides students towards legitimate and recognized institutions across the Philippines,'' Marcos said. —VAL, GMA Integrated News