DAR Province of Capiz

Department of Agrarian Reform Telephones: (036) 6211-398 / (036) 6210-580

PROVINCE OF CAPIZ Telefax: (036) 6214-132

Amado Lim Bldg., Roxas Avenue, Roxas City Email: darcapiz@pldtdsl.net

President Diosdado Macapagal Agrarian Scholarship Program (PDMASP) is another program under the program beneficiary development (PBD) which concerns on giving free college education to children and direct descendants of CARP beneficiaries. This educational assistance is envisioned to interface with the improvement of land tenure by addressing the need to elevate the educational status of the farmers to allow their children assume greater responsibility for progress and responsibility. The PDMASP also aims to develop a poll of highly motivated and educated dependents of ARBs equipped with appropriate farming technologies.

The implementation of PDMASP is in partnership with state universities and colleges and in line with the 10-point priority agenda of the Arroyo Administration to provide educational scholarship to the deserving children of poor families. This was launched in 2003 in honor of President Diosdado Macapagal who himself was a son of a farmer, and who signed the agrarian reform program in the country in 1963 through Republic Act 3844 also known as the Agricultural Land Reform Code.

The agraryo iskolars nationwide enrolled in agriculture related courses in different state schools and universities in the country are provided under the PDMASP with free tuition fee, book allowance every semester and modest monthly allowance.

(March 25, 2009) - Three scholars of the President Diosdado Macapagal Agrarian Scholarship Program (PDMASP) of the Department of Agrarian Reform - Capiz, graduated Cum laude from their respective courses this March.

Winelyn M. Laging, BS Agricultural Engineering; Fanilyn D. Fernandez, Bachelor in Agricultural Technology and Rosemarie B. Obien, Bachelor of Science in Food Technology, are among the 3rd Batch of PDMASP grantees in the province of Capiz enrolled in various campuses of Capiz State University. The three graduates qualified as scholars after passing the qualifying exam given by the department and for being children of Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) which is the primary requirement of the program.

Laging 21, is the daughter of FB Wilfredo Laging and Elementary School Teacher Nereza Laging of Barangay Maninang, Sapian, Capiz. She enrolled and finished her course at CAPSU-Mambusao Campus. She also excelled in various Regional Competitions and was cited for garnering 1st Place both in Feed Ration Formulation in Animal Science and Research Proposal in Crop Science; and 3rd Place in Project Proposal in Crop Science.

Fernandez, 20, is the 8th child in a family of 12, born to FBs Fernando and Lilia Fernandez of Barangay Balatucan, Panitan, Capiz. She finished her High School while working as a "school girl" to a relative who also agreed to send her to college and pursue a two-year course of Associate in Agriculture. She has already enrolled when she learned about the PDMASP. She applied and qualified for the program which gave her the opportunity to pursue her Bachelors Degree at CAPSU-Pontevedra Campus and finish the same Cum Laude.

Obien, 21, is from Barangay Mangoso, Sigma, Capiz. She is the daughter of FB Alberto Obien while her mother passed away when she was seven years old. Farming was her father's only source of income to support a family of eight. At a young age, Obien already recognized that poverty would hinder her from acquiring college education, until she learned of the PDMASP.

During their repective graduation days, Laging, Fernandez and Obien also received other valuable awards such as the Gov. Tanco Award for Excellence, Sen. Manny Villar Excellence Award, University Academic Award and the Civil Service Eligibility Award.

Other PDMASP grantees to graduate this month include Lailyn G. Farillon, BS Agriculture from CAPSU-Tapaz Campus; Mary Jun F. Bitoon, BS Economics from CAPSU Pontevedra Campus; Joewelyn L. Villareal and Ledelyn P. Abunas both BS Agriculture from CAPSU-Mambusao Campus.