Two decades of power utility’s support to IP scholars

President and COO of Davao Light Rodger Velasco (second from left) turns over the support to Ateneo de Davao University-Mindanawon Initiatives for Cultural Dialogue (MICD) Indigenous People (IP) scholarship program.

“I AM always thankful for the privilege of being able to study as a full scholar during the pandemic,” Trisha Joyce Amban, an indigenous scholar of Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU)-Mindanawon Initiatives for Cultural Dialogue (MICD), said in an interview.

She is an Obo Manobo and has been a scholar of the Mindanawon Scholarship Program since her first year of college at AdDU. Currently, she is in her fourth year of college, taking up Bachelor of Science in Education major in English.

“I chose to study education because I want to inspire my fellow IP youth to dream for themselves, for their families, and for their communities. I want to remind them that our uniqueness can make a difference, even in little ways,” Trisha shared.

This August, Davao Light and Power Co. Inc. and Aboitiz Foundation Inc. turned over a check worth 270,000 to MICD to support five indigenous scholars for the school year 2022-2023 at the Ateneo de Davao University campus at Roxas Avenue, Poblacion District, Davao City.

Present at the turnover ceremony are Davao Light’s President & COO Rodger S. Velasco, MICD’s Administrator Perpevina Tio, University Community Engagement and Advocacy Council Chairperson, Mark Paul Samante, and two of their IP Scholars, Trisha Joyce Amban and Eduard Lloyd Lacadwe of the Ateneo Lumad Students Organization.

“The scholarship was an immense help. We received devices, wifi, and load subsidy” another scholar, Eduard Lloyd Lacadwe, enumerated the benefits they got as Mindanawon scholars. He is a Manobo and is also taking up Bachelor of Science in Education major in English. He was a Dean’s lister last semester.

“This is a life-changing program and I advise my fellow indigenous students to not be afraid to go to the city to study… and when the time comes I hope you’d go back to your communities when you finish your studies,” Eduard said when asked about his message to his fellow IP scholars.

Since 2002, Davao Light and Aboitiz Foundation have been extending annual support to the IP scholars of Ateneo de Davao University through the Mindanawon scholarship program, as it is in line with the fourth Sustainable Development Goal of the United Nations, which is to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

Two decades of power utility’s support to IP scholars
Source: Viral Media Philippines