The city government of Davao through the office of the Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative (IPMR) said it plans to increase the number of IP scholars under the Iskolar ng Tribu Program.
Established in June 2022 through the initiative of former Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative (IPMR) Datu Rodolfo Mande, the Iskolar ng Tribu Program was institutionalized with the passage of an ordinance supporting its establishment by the City Council.
Mande announced on Monday that currently, 315 IP students are benefitting from the program wherein 98 are enrolled at the City College of Davao (CCD), 60 at the University of Mindanao (UM), 15 at Brokenshire College of Davao, 28 at Philippine Women’s College (PWC), five at the University of the Immaculate Conception (UIC), eight under the Tulong Dunong Program, and one at Jose Maria College.
Aside from them, 100 IP students are also receiving cash assistance through the Education Benefit System Unit (EBSU).
“Like a proud father, my heart overflows with joy, knowing that this initiative has enabled IP students to pursue careers in social sciences, agriculture, forestry, economics, community development, and professions, such as science, social services, tourism, and management, research, law, and development studies. It also supports medical-related fields, including nursing, midwifery, medical technology, pharmacy, and medicine,” Mande said over Madayaw Davao.
Mande clarified that the IPMR does not offer financial aid to IP students but endorses them to higher education institutions (HEIs), through Memoranda of Agreement with partner schools.
He said these schools offer tuition discounts based on available slots.
The EBSU, under the City Mayor’s Office, provides P5,000 cash aid each semester to Indigenous IP students.
Meanwhile, the newly-installed IPMR Datu Pagdatua Demetrio Bolo Sr. of the Bagobo-Klata tribe has committed to continue the Iskolar ng Tribu Program including ensuring that IP students will be given proper education.
