ATMs FOR STUDENTS: Thousands of poor but deserving students pose for the ‘1bataan’ sign after receiving yesterday their ATM cards from the Bataan provincial government headed by Gov Abet S Garcia (not in photo) that sponsors their scholarship in various colleges. Vice Gov. Cris Garcia, 4th left, front row, together with board members leads here the 3rd day distribution of ATM cards in the towns of Samal and Abucay.
BATAAN CAPITOL- The provincial government of Bataan led by Governor Abet S. Garcia is providing a total of 1,129 Automated Teller Machines (ATM) to its ‘Iskolar’ to enable them withdraw their stipends from the banks.
This was learned from Ramon Cañas, Jr. Bataan scholars coordinator, who said that they, including Vice Governor Cris Garcia and board members, are personally distributing the ATMs daily to the Iskolar in various towns and in Balanga City.
Bataan is targeting to provide ATMs to all the less than 10,000 scholars throughout the province.
The granting of allowances to the poor but deserving students started way back during the time of the late Enrique ‘Tet’ Garcia, who had served as governor and congressman for long years.
The scholarship program is being continued by his (Tet Garcia) sons- incumbent governor Abet Garcia, Rep. Joet Garcia, mayor Francis Garcia of Balanga and daughter Mayor Gila Garcia of Dinalupihan town.
With the scholarship programs of the Garcias, tens of thousands of poor students have been able to graduate college and vocational courses.
Before the outbreak of the pandemic, Iskolar ng bayan members were usually receiving their stipends personally from the provincial capitol. This has prompted the provincial leadership to provide them ATM cards and no need for them (scholars) to go to the provincial capitol to get their allowances.
