“Let’s be active citizens of Pasig City.”

This was the message of Mayor Vico Sotto to around 5,000 scholars for the school year 2022 to 2023 during the Pasig City Scholars General Assembly on Tuesday, Oct. 11.

The Pasig City Scholars Office held a face-to-face general assembly at the Pasig City Sports Center, the first gathering of scholars since the on-set of the pandemic in 2020.

Sotto reminded the scholars of what their acceptance in the scholarship program entails.

“Pag mayroon tayong natatanggap mula sa pamahalaan, may kaakibat po ‘yang responsibilidad. Responsibilidad na lalong mag-aral pa ng maigi, maging excellent sa lahat ng ginagawa natin mula sa pag-aaral at sa lahat ng aspeto ng ating buhay, at maging mabuting mamamayan sa ating lungsod (When we receive benefits from the government, there are responsibilities attached to them. The responsibility to pursue our studies more diligently, to become excellent in everything we do from our education to other aspects of our lives, and to be good citizens),” Sotto said.

He said the funds for the scholarship program are not a “cost or expense” but an investment of the city for the future generations.

“Magiging maliwanag ang kinabukasan ng ating siyudad hindi po dahil sa akin, kundi po dahil sa inyo mismo. Mga pagbabagong gusto niyo makita at pagpapaunlad sa ating lungsod, kayo po ang mangunguna. Nagsisimula po tayo bilang mga estudyante (Our city’s future rests not on me but on you. You will lead the changes and progress that you wish to see in our city. We start first as students),” Sotto added.

The approved applicants of the Pasig City Scholarship Program (PCSP) from elementary school as well as junior and senior high school were given an orientation on the rules, regulations, and policies of the program that scholars are expected to observe and follow.

The gathering was also an opportunity for scholars to expand their network of friends and acquaintances as they meet fellow students from various schools, said the Scholars Office.

Those in attendance on Tuesday were the first batch of scholars. Sessions will be conducted for other batches of scholars on Oct. 13, 18, and 20.

Overall, the local government has accepted around 23,000 scholars, both new and renewal applications, for the school year 2022 to 2023.

Previously, the local government expected to reach 25,000 scholars for the next school year 2023 to 2024.

Rep. Roman Romulo, Councilors Angelu De Leon, Syvel Gupilan, Pao Santiago, Maro Martires, and Eric Gonzales, along with Scholars Office Officer-In-Charge Ester Yamson were present to give their messages of support for the scholars.

As the local government’s primary scholarship program, the PCSP aims to help indigent students continue their education by providing them financial aid for tuition expenses and other learning costs and school necessities.

Interested and eligible applicants are asked to coordinate with the Scholars Office for their application.

Although the PCSP initially covered scholars in public schools, it has also included students in private schools in order to increase enrollees during the pandemic.