by Maritess B. Beñas

BANGUED, Abra–A total of 184 students in the province received their scholarship benefits from the office of Congresswoman Ma. Jocelyn V. Bernos last April 4 at the Provincial Capitol Social Hall.


These students make up the second batch of scholarship grantees of the Joy – Educational Assistance Program (Joy-EAP) for the second semester of the school year 2010-2011 which a total of 540 scholars.

The scholarship program is coined after the nickname of the Congresswoman, Joy. It is granted to poor but deserving students to pursue their college education.

Joy-EAP is implemented through the office of the National Commission on the Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) in Abra headed by lawyer Russel Bragas.

The Joy-EAP is granted to all interested Abreñan students regardless of their ethnic origin – Ilocanos and Tingguians alike, unlike in the past years when NCIP scholarship was exclusively given to Tingguian students.
The scholars are required to present their enrolment form and a certification from the barangay captain that they are residents of said barangay.

Scholars will study in the province regardless of the school where they enroll and the course they take up.
In an interview with the congresswoman, she bared said that there is now a scholarship program from the Department of Agriculture (DA) which is open to all fresh graduates in high school.

Scholars under the DA scholarship program may enroll at the University of the Philippines at Los Baños (UPLB) in Laguna or at the Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University (DMMMSU) in La Union or at any agricultural college or university provided the student is willing to take up an agricultural course.

Interested applicants to the DA scholarship program may visit the district office of Congresswoman Bernos at the ground floor of the provincial capitol in Bangued. *(MBB-PIA CAR/Abra)