The 11th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army 3rd Infantry Division based in Guihulngan City is now accepting applicants for its scholarship program for school year 2011-2012.
Six qualified students will be selected for full scholarship and one special scholar at the Negros Oriental State University, the only state university in the Province.
Full scholars will enjoy free tuition fees, free board and lodging, and allowance; while special scholars will receive free tuition fees for the duration of their scholarship.
Interested applicants may get application forms from the 11IB headquarters at Brgy. McKinley, Guihulngan City after which they will be scheduled for interview, said 11IB Civil Military Operation Officer 1Lt. Angelito Luna.
Luna said that so far, they have interviewed 50 students applying for the scholarships. Deadline for applications is on April 30; entrance tests at NORSU is scheduled on the first week of May.
The scholarship is under the 11th IB’s Lapu-Lapu Educational Assistance Program (LEAP) created to fulfill 11th IB’s social responsibility to the residents living in their area of operation from Canlaon City down to Mabinay town.
A statement from 11th IB said that each soldier in the unit volunteered to set aside a portion of their salary every month to fund the educational program.
Other individuals have likewise pledged to sponsor one full scholar each under LEAP, among them namely: Marit Remonde, widow of former Press Secretary Cerge Remonde; and Board Members Dr. Liland Estacion, and Jessica Villanueva. (RMN/PIA Negros Oriental)