President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. said his administration will expand a scholarship program funded through direct transfers to local governments, aiming to support more than 200,000 students nationwide to curb college dropout rates, BusinessWorld reported.
Speaking to student beneficiaries in Manila City on Wednesday, Marcos said the program allots P200,000 per barangay (village), with half of the money allocated for scholarships. The initiative aims to address financial barriers that lead students to drop out of college.
The expanded scholarship program is part of the government's broader effort to improve access to higher education and reduce dropout rates, particularly among low-income families. Further details on implementation and eligibility criteria are expected to be announced by the Department of Education and local government units.