The municipal government of Currimao in Ilocos Norte has released a total of PHP300,000 for the pioneering batch of college graduates who were granted cash assistance for their board examination.

Mayor Edward Quilala, together with members of the Currimao Municipal Council, personally distributed PHP10,000 each to 30 board exam takers after the flag-raising ceremony attended by the beneficiaries.

Currimao Vice Mayor Judith Quilala said the granting of financial aid to board exam takers aims to inspire more graduates to strive, serve and dream bigger for a more progressive community.

“The Currimao Municipal Council stands together with Mayor Quilala in a powerful belief: when we invest in people, we invest in the future,” she said in an interview.

According to the Vice Mayor, students of any course that needs licensure examination, such as those related to medicine, engineering, teaching, including those in agriculture and fisheries, among others, may avail of the program.

Government data shows that Currimao is among the top performing local government units in the country after posting an estimated PHP20-million increase in local revenue in 2024.

Next to the agriculture sector, education is among the top investment priorities of this coastal municipality to uplift its residents from poverty.

“This project is laudable as it will help inspire the youth to continue pursuing higher education,” Dr. Joven Cuanang, a native of Currimao, said.

A neurologist, art collector, curator and philanthropist, Cuanang also urged the local government to encourage more students to take up marine sciences in response to growing concerns about the environment, climate change and sustainability. (PNA)