Region 9 – The Office of the Fisheries Scholarship Program (FSP) of the DA-BFAR IX conducted an online re-orientation meeting for the incoming and existing 91 FSP scholars of Region IX on August 16, 2021. The said meeting was presided by Mr. Crisanto P. Catubig, Regional FSP Coordinator and concurrent OIC-HRMO. The activity was also facilitated by Mr. Christopher M. Ignacio, FSP Alternate Coordinator, and FSP Secretariat, Ms. Patti Mae Palacay.
In his inspirational message, Regional Director, Mr. Isidro M. Velayo, Jr. MDM, roused and stirred the hearts and resolve of the scholars to pursue their four-year BS Fisheries course and emphasized the exceptional opportunity the scholarship being offered for them to mold a worthier future and to better themselves as individuals.
During the orientation, the FSP grantees were informed about the Fisheries Scholarship Program guidelines, objectives, and activities as well as the benefits, monthly stipend, and other grants and rewards of the program, as follows: School Fees. Tuition and other school fees or as required by the curriculum except for dormitory fee/rental; Monthly stipend/ Monthly living allowance of PhP 5,000.00 On the Job Training (OJT)/Practicum Support of PhP 3,000.00 Book allowance of PhP 2,000.00 per semester Thesis Support of PhP 7,000.00 Graduation Support of PhP 1,500.00 upon graduation. Aside from the aforementioned benefits, scholars who graduated with academic distinctions shall be given the following monetary award: SUMMA- Php 50,000; MAGNA-Php 30,000; CUM LAUDE- Php 20,000. Moreover, Top 10 Fisheries Technologist Board Passers shall also receive incentives: for Top 1- Php 50,000; while for Top 2 to Top 10- Php 20,000
Mr. Catubig also enunciated the importance of their studies through a one-on-one consultation regarding their enrolment status, academic concerns, and current situation. Indeed, during the ongoing pandemic, the struggle of the students increases as they are bound to adjust to the new normal of education.
The Fisheries Scholarship Program ultimately seeks to produce professional manpower to serve the requirements of both the government and the fisheries industry and other related institutions by way of financial assistance to deserving high school graduates. Without a doubt, the FSP is revolutionizing the fisheries sector, one scholar at a time.