In a timely holiday gesture, the Bacolod City Government provided crucial financial support to hundreds of its student scholars just before Christmas.
Pre-Holiday Payout for Immediate Needs
A total of 814 scholars under the City Government of Bacolod's program received their financial assistance at the Bacolod City Government Center (BCGC) on December 24, 2025. Each beneficiary was granted P3,000 as part of the city's educational support initiative.
Jovelyn Canoy, the coordinator of the Public Employment Services Office (Peso) in Bacolod, explained that the distribution was intentionally accelerated. The goal was to ensure the funds reached the students ahead of the Christmas celebrations, providing timely aid for their pressing academic and personal expenses during the holiday break.
A Competitive and Prestigious Program
Canoy emphasized the significant value of being selected as a city scholar. She revealed that the slots are highly competitive, with the current batch chosen from a pool of more than 7,000 applicants.
"Out of more than 7,000 applicants, you were chosen. This is a privilege and a responsibility," Canoy told the scholars. She encouraged them to value their slots, adhere strictly to the program's guidelines, and maintain a spirit of community service.
The financial aid is part of the city's allocated P2.4 million budget for scholar assistance covering the first semester of the School Year 2025-2026.
First Batch of Ongoing Commitment
Mayor Greg Gasataya confirmed that the pre-Christmas payout was rushed specifically to benefit the scholars before the holidays commenced. He also disclosed that this distribution represents only the first batch of recipients.
The city administration has plans for additional releases, indicating an ongoing commitment to supporting the education and welfare of Bacolod's student population through the Peso program.
