by Jan Pauline Borce

Laguna Governor Jeorge “ER” Ejercito launched a scholarship program called “EskolaR ng Laguna” or “Batang Jose Rizal ng Bagong Laguna” for the A.Y 2012-13. It is a pilot program for the benefit of college students.

The governor allocated a total of Php 60 million this year. All of the scholars get Php 5,000 for allowance every semester. Gov. Ejercito expects to serve a total of 6,000 students.

The EskolaR ng Laguna program is under Gov. Ejercito’s 15-point flagship poverty and hunger alleviation program “K2 Kinse-Kumpleto Serbisyo Publiko Kontra Kahirapan at Gutom.”

Out of the 30,000 examinees, a total of 6,000 students were qualified as of the first semester of AY 2012-13. Scholars of Laguna must maintain good grades in all subjects. A scholar who failed a subject will undergo counseling.

Interested applicants need to take and pass a 60-item IQ exam prior to admission, according to Ditas Cosio, the Supervising Administrative Officer and Scholarship Administrator.

Screening examinations are held every March and April. Every district of Laguna has a different examination site: District 1 and 2  at Calamba, District 3 at San Pablo, District 4A at Pila, and District 4B at Siniloan.

Since there are limited slots, reservation of a seat during the exam date is on a first-come-first-serve basis. The applicant needs to present a student ID or any valid identification cards or documents on the examination day.

Name of qualifiers are posted at the OPA at the New Capitol Building in Sta Cruz a week after the examination. Qualifiers need to bring the following documents: Affidavit of No Fixed Income, class cards, good moral certificate, barangay clearance and birth certificate.Esk