The Antique provincial government has allocated PHP90 million for its educational assistance program this School Year 2023-2024, which will prioritize the indigenous peoples (IPs).

“The educational assistance is provided so that the IPs would have some amount to support them in their schooling,” Antique Governor Rhodora Cadiao in her message during the IP Day at the Binirayan Gymnasium in San Jose de Buenavista on Monday.

IPs belonging to the Ati, Iraynon Bukidnon, and Cuyonin live in remote barangays and could hardly pursue secondary education due to the lack of accessible schools.

“IPs are only able to reach elementary education because of the distance of the schools from their homes,” Cadiao said.

The cycle of poverty continues among their tribes due to the lack of employment opportunities in better-paying jobs because they only reach the elementary level.

The provincial government will start to accept scholarship applications on Sept. 11.

“IPs are being given priority, so they just have to submit their registration form, birth certificate, and other pertinent documents,” said Irish Manlapaz, head of the Antique Provincial Youth Development Office (PYDO) and in charge of the educational assistance program.

Under the program, qualified college and graduate school students can receive PHP6,000 each per semester, which they could use for school supplies, board and lodging, and other school needs.

To qualify, IPs should not be a recipient of any scholarship grant from other scholarship-giving bodies.

The IP Day, held annually to recognize their importance in the province, gathered 300 IPs for their cultural presentation. (PNA)