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Improve administration of scholarship program
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Posted on Aug 21 2000
Rota Mayor Benjamin T. Manglona has prodded the Senate Committee on Health, Education and Welfare to lessen bureaucracy in the administration of scholarship grants and financial aid to local students attending college.
He said funds to be spent for such purpose should be funneled instead to increasing the appropriation for the government scholarship program in order to benefit more students.
“In setting up administration of a student loan or scholarship program, please do not increase the cost of government,” Mr. Manglona said in his testimony to the Senate panel which is reviewing proposed changes to the existing program.
The HEW committee chaired by Sen. Richardo S. Atalig is expected to come up with a comprehensive bill on various proposals under five measures that are pending in the upper house.
One of the bills has proposed establishment of a central office, such as the Office of Postsecondary Assistance, to handle the scholarship program and financial aid given by the government.
But Mr. Manglona said such a move is only expected to raise overhead expenses that may take away some of the funds intended for the students.
“Now. . . is not a good time to do that,” he said. “Be cautious. . . Don’t take money the students could use and fund new or more expensive government operations,” the mayor told the senators.
At present, the program is being administered by the Scholarship’s Office whose budget is only a small fraction compared to the funds earmarked for the students.
Several government agencies have expressed support for the plan to overhaul the existing program in light of the dwindling resources of the government.
One of the proposals will seek establishment of a guaranteed student loan program to be handled by private financial institutions in a bid to lower government subsidy while ensuring continuous funds for the recipients of scholarship grants or financial aid.
