The provincial government of Benguet has opened 158 scholarship slots for incoming first-year college students for Academic Year 2025-2026, Governor Melchor Diclas said Wednesday.

“A total of 158 scholarship slots are now available for incoming first-year college students under the Provincial Government of Benguet scholarship program,” Diclas said in a phone interview.

Of the total, 140 will be designated for each of the province’s barangays and 18 slots will be allocated for Alternative Learning System (ALS) graduates – one per Department of Education (DepEd) district, and four for students who have brought honor to Benguet in sports or technical skills.

Applicants for the barangay slots must submit their requirements to their respective barangay offices, ALS scholars to the DepEd district offices, and special achievers directly to the Governor’s Office.

Diclas also said that the provincial government plans to double the barangay slots to two per barangay by next school year to support more underprivileged but deserving students.

The scholarship program extends monetary allowances, tuition, and book support.

“This is a long-term investment in our youth and our province. An educated population is key to our development,” he said.

In addition, the province offers scholarships for incoming freshmen pursuing medicine –one per municipality, subject to qualification – aimed at addressing the need for more doctors in rural communities.

Diclas, a medical doctor by profession, said the barrios need more doctors.

He said the provincial scholarship program for medical students aims to meet the goal of having at least one doctor per municipality by supporting the education of future doctors.

“Health is an important part of life and we believe that by investing in our children’s education, we will be able to produce more medical professionals who will help us in ensuring the good health of our people,” the governor said. (PNA)