THE Baguio City Council has approved on first reading an ordinance that would provide a budget for meals for needy and deserving college students in the city.
The proposed ordinance by Councilor Levy Lloyd Orcales covers the provision of free daily youth meals to college students from low-income families and student assistance enrolled in any private or public higher educational institution in the city.
Any Baguio resident who is currently enrolled in any college or university in the city, including student assistants are eligible for the free youth meals, provided that the students belong to low-income families, that students upon the screening and recommendation of the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) are accepted considering actual life circumstances, and that students maintain passing marks in all subjects and students are not recipients of any city government subsidy.
According to the ordinance, the eligible college students shall ensure compliance with the requirements and application process such as the presentation of certificate of enrollment; proof of passing marks in all subjects; certification from the CSWDO as a proof that the student is not a recipient of any local government based program; solo parent identification card if parent is a solo parent; barangay certificate of low income; PWD identification card if parent is a PWD; certification from the college or university if student is a student assistant; company identification card if working student and endorsement and acceptance from the CSWDO after screening and interview from social workers.
The ordinance provides some P1,000 worth of meal budget per student monthly, with an initial run of 100 students being considered.
The initial subsidy for the project is P2 million for the first year, with the CSWDO authorized to increase the subsidy annually but not decrease it below enough for 100 students.
