By MERLINDA A. PEDROSA

The Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod approved on first reading a proposed ordinance granting cash incentives to Bacolodnons who graduated with Latin honors.

“This ordinance is to give merit and honor to the hard work the graduates put into their studies and to validate and recognize the value they afford for education,” Councilor Jason Villarosa said.

Section 4 of the proposed ordinance said the qualified beneficiaries will receive P10,000 for summa cum laude, P5,000 for magna cum laude, and P3,000 for cum laude.

Villarosa said the grantee must himself or herself be a registered voter of Bacolod; must have graduated with Latin honors from any state college or university within the city; and must be of good moral character with no derogatory record.

He said the grantee should submit a voter’s identification card; a college diploma; a certificate from the school or university that the grantee graduated with a Latin honor; and a certificate of no derogatory record.

The members of the committee on cash incentives will be tasked to review all the documentary requirements; formulate and submit its recommendation for approval; and maintain and safekeep all pertinent documents.

Villarosa said he also asked the city government for the allocation of P1 million annually to finance the scheduled subsidies for outstanding students./MAP, WDJ