TACLOBAN CITY – Some 371 students have qualified as new recipients of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) scholarship, the department’s regional office here announced on Tuesday.

Ramil Uy, DOST regional scholarship technical coordinator, said the list of qualifiers comes from the 7,000 students who aspired for the grant. The number of qualifiers for the 2023 junior-level science scholarship is higher than last year’s over 300 students.

“The 371 qualifiers once signed the scholarship contract will enjoy a P7,000 monthly living allowance, P10,000.00 annual book allowance, clothing allowance during their first year, and summer allowances if their curriculum will require them to have summer classes,” Uy said.

Other benefits for the scholars include a thesis allowance if their courses will require them to have a thesis. For those who will study in a private university, the scholarship will provide a total of P40,000 tuition for the whole academic year.

“I am proud that DOST has this scholarship program that pave the road for a brighter and secured future for young people taking science and technology courses. We have heard a lot of inspiring stories. Many of our graduates are successful in their career and some have already established their businesses,” Uy told reporters.

Of the 371 qualifiers, 237 of them are from Leyte province, 42 from Southern Leyte, 40 from Samar, 23 from Eastern Samar, 18 from Biliran, and 11 from Northern Samar.

Qualifiers are natural-born Filipinos who are regular second-year college students enrolled in DOST-Science Education Institute (SEI) priority science and technology course at identified university in the second semester of the academic year 2022-2023. The scholarship will be effective on the first semester of school year 2023-2024.

They have a general weighted average of at least 83 percent or its equivalent and with no conditional or failing mark since the first semester of their college years.

Included in the requirement are good moral character, good health, and have never applied for any DOST-SEI scholarship.

The science and technology (S&T) undergraduate scholarships program aims to stimulate and entice talented Filipino youths to pursue lifetime productive careers in S&T and ensure a steady, adequate supply of qualified S&T human resources that can steer the country towards national progress.

There are two types of DOST scholarship –the DOST-SEI Merit Scholarship Program and Republic Act No. 7687, also known as the “Science and Technology Scholarship Act of 1994”.

Merit scholarship is awarded to students with high aptitude in science and mathematics and are willing to pursue careers in the fields of science and technology.

RA 7687 provides for scholarships to talented and deserving students whose families’ socio-economic status does not exceed the set cut-off values of certain indicators.

Qualifiers must pursue priority fields of study in the basic sciences, engineering, other applied sciences, and science and mathematics teaching.
(SARWELL Q. MENIANO/PNA)

ORMOC CITY– Southern Leyte’s most wanted man was reported to have escaped from his prison cell at the San Juan municipal police station on June 24 at about 7 pm.

Based on the report of the local police, Andrew Ajero, 35 with a known address of Barangay Pong-oy, San Juan town, was able to bolt out from his cell by hemming out four iron grills at the back portion of the custodial facility.

His escape was discovered by a desk officer at around 7 pm while he was conducting an inspection among prisoners under their custody.

The San Juan police immediately alerted all police stations across the province for assistance to rearrest escapee.

Ajero arrested by virtue of a warrant of arrest for two counts of rape, with no bail recommended, and another warrant of arrest for two counts of act of lascivious on May 25 of this year in Quezon City.

He was turned over to the San Juan police just this June 10. (ROBERT DEJON)

Part of Ormoc City’s annual fiesta celebration

TACLOBAN CITY – STI College Ormoc’s ‘Pundok Nagkahiusang Ormocanon’ emerged as the winner again in this year’s Piña Festival held at the city’s plaza on June 25.

The festival is among the lined-up activities of the city’s annual fiesta, now on its 426th year in honor of Saints Peter and Paul.

Pundok Nagkahiusang Ormocanon was the winner of the 2019 Piña Festival before the annual celebration was temporary stopped in 2020 due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

The contingent won P500, 000 cash prize and Best in costume, best in graphic design, best choreographer, and best in street dancing.

‘Pundok Kasadpan’ of Western Leyte College of Ormoc bagged the 1st place and won P450,000, while Pundok Sidlakan of Eastern Visayas State University was the 2nd place and won P400,000.

Leyte 4th District Representative Richard Gomez and Mayor Lucy Torres-Gomez handed over the trophy and cash prize to the winners.

“This festival is our form of gratitude for the many blessings that we have received throughout the years. What we celebrate here is not just about the queen pineapple, what we are celebrating is who we are, as Ormocanon people, the city of resilient, sweet, happy, and beautiful people,” Mayor Torres Gomez said.

In his message, Rep. Gomez expressed his gratitude to all sectors who helped them in the preparation for the return of the Piña Festival this year and those who witnessed and watch the street dance parade and the ritual dance presentation.

“It is you who motivate us to continuously provide you with the best in Ormoc and in the fourth district of Leyte, the best entertainment, the best learning, the best experiences, and most of all the best service to all,” Gomez added.

Aside from awarding the best festival showdown winners, they also crowned the Piña Festival Queen won by Lime Berry Linaga of Ipil National High School, with Geovanna Catalina Dawa of Western Leyte College of Ormoc as 1st runner-up, and Giovana Scala of New Ormoc City National High School in 2nd runner-up. (ROEL T. AMAZONA)