Effective this school year, indigent college and graduate students from Antique will receive higher educational assistance of PHP10,000 per semester from the existing PHP6,000.

The provincial board, during its regular session on Monday, approved the hike to help students cope with the increasing cost of education.

“The PHP6,000 per semester is not enough to fully address the rising education and living expenses faced by the students so we proposed the increase,” said Board member Pio Jessielito Sumande Sr., who sponsored the resolution authored by Vice Governor Edgar Denosta.

In an interview, Sumande said students need gadgets for their assignments and research work in addition to their other needs so increasing their financial support could give them more leeway.

The approved resolution will be furnished to the Office of Antique Governor Rhodora Cadiao and the provincial government local finance committee composed of the offices of the provincial treasurer, budget, and accounting for the allocation.

“We had a prior consultation with Governor Cadiao about this increase,” he said.

He added the provincial government has already allocated PHP160 million in the approved Supplemental Budget Nos. 1 and 2 for educational assistance.

The Antique Provincial Youth Development Office that handles the program is expected to announce the application schedule in the coming days.

Last school year, around 20,000 students applied for educational grant. (PNA)