ALABEL, Sarangani (January 25, 2023) – The Provincial government of Sarangani awarded cash incentives to 36 Sarangan students with Latin honors on January 23 pursuant to Provincial Ordinance No. 2021-10-082.

The ordinance, authored by Sangguniang Kabataan Federation President Rheymar M. Dian, established the “Youth Excellence Award and Outstanding Sarangani Youth Incentives Program.”

The recognition of the provincial government to excelling or outstanding youth/s and Sangguniang Kabataan, according to the ordinance, will “further promote active citizenship and encourage youth individuals and/or group/s involvement in the attainment of development in the province.”

Summa Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, and Cum Laude, per the ordinance, will receive P5,000, P3,000, and P2,000, respectively.

Local Youth Development Officer John Oliver Tablazon said, the award hopes to encourage students “to really strive hard to bring pride not only to their families but to Sarangani Province, as well.”

“We want to motivate them by giving these incentives,” he said.

Dominic Carl E. Gascon, a Summa Cum Laude and a resident of Malungon, thanked the provincial government for the incentive received.

He believed more of his co-youths “will be inspired by this program” and anticipated that “there will be more future Latin honor awardees coming from our province.”

For him, “education is the best thing that we can hold on to for the change of our world.”

Because of the program, he believed, this would encourage more youths “to embrace education as part of our lives and its importance for our future.”

Tablazon said the incentives program began in 2021 after the approval of the provincial ordinance.

Sarangan students with Latin honors can avail of the incentive by submitting proof of award, barangay certificate, and preferably, a photocopy of a voter registration card. 

But Tablazon said, their office would process only those documents submitted within six months from the date of the award, or else, the incentive will be forfeited.

The recognition ceremony was done during the Capitol flag raising ceremony in the presence of Vice Governor Elmer de Peralta and Board Member Irish Arnado. (Beverly C. Paoyon/ SARANGANI PROVINCIAL INFORMATION OFFICE)