HONOR STUDENT. Government scholar Aubrey Dominique Bernardez (3rd from left) receives a check worth PHP20,000 from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources - Cordillera for graduating cum laude with a degree in Bachelor of Science in Fisheries from the Cagayan State College in Luna, Apyao on Thursday (July 14, 2023). The BFAR scholarship includes free tuition, a book allowance, a cash stipend, an on-the-job training allowance, and a thesis allowance. (PNA photo by Liza T. Agoot)
LUNA, Apayao – The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has awarded a cheque worth PHP20,000 to one of its scholars who graduated cum laude.
During the awarding ceremony on Thursday, Lilibeth Signey, director of BFAR-Cordillera, said the additional incentive given to Aubrey Dominique Bernardez, a BFAR scholar for Bachelor of Arts in Fisheries, is provided for in the provisions of the BFAR Fisheries Scholarship Program - Fishery Industry Leadership Grant for those graduating with honors.
The ceremony coincided with the celebration of Cordillera Month and the opening of the “Kadiwa ng Pangulo” agro-industrial fair at the Payanan Sports Complex here.
Bernardez graduated cum laude at the Cagayan State College earlier this month.
The BFAR scholarship program provides an additional incentive of PHP20,000 for those graduating cum laude, PHP30,000 for magna cum laude, and PHP50,000 for summa cum laude.
The scholarship program is available to children of fisherfolk, industry leaders, and members of Indigenous Peoples, as an additional poverty alleviation program of the DA.
At least 80 scholars are supported every year with about 30 new slots added each year.
“The goal is to have professional technical experts in fisheries to better improve the fish production of the country utilizing not just the open seas but the inland waters and fishponds,” June Lois Fermin, chief Aquaculturist and designate information officer of the BFAR-Cordillera, said in an interview on Thursday.
The fisheries scholarship is just one of the education grants of the Department of Agriculture to improve food production and attain food sustainability aside from lifting people with academic potentials out of poverty by giving free education.
The scholarship covers the tuition of the student aside from book allowance, a cash stipend, on-the-job-training allowance, and thesis allowance. (PNA)
