In the depths of rural areas in Iloilo Province are the Ati and Panay Bukidnon Indigenous communities—creative and unique people with smile on their faces but there are still some who have limited access to education and literacy. Children in the community endure the pain of walking barefoot for two to four hours just to reach the nearest primary school.

Understanding the hardships and endless determination of Indigenous peoples (IPs) in Iloilo Province, the Iloilo Provincial Government implemented the Provincial Educational Assistance Program for Indigenous Peoples (IPs). This program aims to help IPs to be financially stable to support their education for bigger opportunities.

This program of the Iloilo Provincial Government is aligned with the mandate of the State and the provisions of the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act (IPRA) of 1997 which emphasizes the rights of children and youth to be educated in all levels and forms of education.

In the Provincial Ordinance No. 2016-128 and its amendment, underprivileged IPs in Iloilo Province were given the chance to access quality education and improve their lives for a better future.

For the right quality of education, this successful program is implemented by the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO), with the support of the Provincial Educational Assistance Program for ICCs/IPs Management Board (PEAIMB). Together, these two organizations work to create a foster environment where education is not just a dream but a tangible reality for all those Indigenous children and youth.

This program is the embodiment of hope for all children who wish to learn and write.

To qualify for the program, an applicant must be a poor and deserving Indigenous people member who desire to pursue education at the tertiary level. He or she should be a graduate of senior high school and a bonafide resident of Iloilo Province and his or her family should have an annual gross income of not more than one hundred fifty thousand pesos (P 150,000). The process involves the submission of documents and papers to qualify.

Recipients receive allowances through ATM card. They receive a monthly allowance of P3,500 for 10 months, a book allowance of P2,000 for two semesters, and a communication allowance of P2,000 once a year with a total amount of P41,000 for the entire school year.

Additionally, the IP grantee will receive a thesis/research allowance of P2,500 once throughout their grant period.

Furthermore, a cash incentive will also be given to the graduating grantee, depending on his/her honorable distinction. Grantees are required to maintain passing grades and abide by the policies of their respective schools in case of failure to maintain he/she will be given a second chance to prove for another semester.

Since its implementation in the second semester of the school year 2016-2017, the program has provided numerous support to IP grantees.

The number of grantees has increased, with the Provincial government accepting 50 grantees every year.

The program accommodated a larger population of applicants in its recent batches resulting in a successful implementation of the program and providing assistance to a significant population of indigenous people.

The program has not just provided financial assistance but also instilled the initiative of IPs to be organized and socially present to all community engagement like tree planting and different activities to promote leadership skills.

The Literacy Program in Iloilo province has transformed the lives of Indigenous IPs who have a dream to become greater than they imagined, to be a good role model and to be a source of inspiration in their communities.

It empowers the IP grantees to pursue their dreams, break the cycle of poverty, and to contribute in the betterment of their communities.

(Material from Marice Andrea S. Bedonia/dswd6/Reamae G. Velasco, BA Journalism-WVSU)