ILOILO – The provincial government’s flagship scholarship program, Iskolar sang Iloilo Program (ISIP), has once again proven its impact as 21 of its scholars successfully passed the March 2025 Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET), with a significant number of them graduating with Latin honors.
Of the 21 new licensed teachers, 16 graduated with academic distinctions — eight as magna cum laude and eight as cum laude — from top state universities in Iloilo, including Iloilo State University of Fisheries Science and Technology, Iloilo Science and Technology University (ISAT-U), West Visayas State University, and Northern Iloilo State University.
ISIP is a long-running initiative that aims to empower academically gifted but financially disadvantaged Senior High School graduates to pursue higher education in state colleges and universities across the province. It was established in 1996 under then-governor Arthur Defensor Sr., and has been strengthened under the leadership of Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. as part of his “MoRProGRes Iloilo” social justice agenda.
“This milestone is a testament to the transformative power of inclusive education,” said Governor Defensor in a statement, reaffirming the province’s commitment to nurturing local talent.
ISIP scholar Alfonso Agramon Jr., a Bachelor of Technical Vocational Education graduate from ISAT-U, expressed his gratitude through a Facebook post: “Salamat gid ISIP Batch 25, as one of your beneficiaries, I’m beyond grateful for the assistance and support.”
Another passers, Anjeneth Brito Piola of ISAT-U, shared: “Thank you, ISIP family. Thank you, Lord, for blessing me more than I prayed for. Finally, I am now a licensed professional teacher by God’s grace.”
Under the scholarship, each ISIP recipient receives a monthly stipend of P3,500, an additional P3,000 per semester for learning materials and on-the-job training, and a P5,000 thesis grant for graduating students.
Eligibility requirements for the program include a general weighted average of at least 90% in Senior High School, an annual gross family income not exceeding P180,000, and enrollment in a state college or university in Iloilo.
With the latest batch of LET passers, ISIP continues to bolster the province’s pool of professional educators, aligning with Iloilo’s broader vision of quality, inclusive education and sustainable local development./PN
