Measure granting educational assistance to college students in Lapu-Lapu passed

Local

THE Lapu-Lapu City Government has passed an ordinance granting educational assistance to qualified college students in the city.

The Sangguniang Panlungsod has recently approved ordinance No. 17-062-2026 establishing the Lapu-Lapu City Educational Assistance For Higher Education Program.

Under the program, student-grantees will receive ₱5,000 per semester, with the grant increasing to ₱7,500 for students with a 90%–94% general weighted average (GWA) and up to ₱10,000 for those with a 95%–100% GWA.

The initiative aims to help more deserving Oponganon students pursue higher education and achieve their goals.

"This initiative is desigend to provide financial assitance to qualified college students who are financially challenged and in need of support whethere they are studying in state universities, local colleges, or other recognized higher education institutions," Mayor Cindi King Chan said.

To avail of the program, a student must be an indigent or belongs to an indigent household certified by the City Social Welfare and Development Office, and registered voter or bonafide resident of the city. If the applicant is still a minor, the parents must be a registered voter in the city.

A student must also be enrolled in any state or local university or college within the city or within the Province of Cebu. An applicant must also obtain a GWA of at least 80% or its equivalent in the previous academic term, with no failing or incomplete grades upon application. They must also meet the enrollment rquirements.

The applicant must not be receiving any other government or private educational or scholarship assistance with similar benefits under this program, except those covered by Republic Act No. 10931 or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act.

The ordinance also establishes a special program for highly technical degrees, which include courses requring advanced scientific, engineering, legal, medical or technical expertise such as Medicine, Law, Physics, Engineering, and Fisheries.

Those who will enroll in these degree programs will be given priority in educational assistance and will receive an initial grant of P15, 000 per semester based on the program requirements. The grant may be increased up to P70, 000 per academic year upon approval.

In return, the benefeciaries must render two years of service as Job Order personnnel of the City Government of Lapu-Lapu in a positioin related to its educational background.

The measure was approved by the council on May 13, 2026 and was signed subsequently signed into local ordinance by Chan.(MyTVCebu)