CAINTA, RIZAL—OIC-Provincial Head Engr. Joseph P. Gacosta awards PHP 24,800.00 to John Paul Vigilla for his tuition, miscellaneous fees, and stipend. Vigilla is one of the scholars of the Department under the Isabelo Delos Reyes Scholarship grant of the Workers Organization Development Program (WODP).
On February 10, Vigilla met the new Provincial Head of Rizal Provincial Office when he receives his scholarship grant.
Currently, Vigilla is now in his last semester in College with a degree in Bachelor of Science in Information Systems enrolled in ACLC Taytay.
“Hindi dahil natapos na namin ang aming kompromiso sa iyo bilang WODP scholar, para sa iyo, hindi pa iyan nagtatapos,” Engr. Gacosta told Vigilla.
Engr. Gacosta opened the Department’s other programs to Vigilla assuring that DOLE would not cut its connection with him when he graduated. The Provincial Head offered programs like the First Time Jobseekers Assistance Program when preparing his pre-employment documents, and the Government Internship Program should he want to have government experience.
“Kapag halimbawa, nahihirapan ka, huwag kang mahihiya sa amin. Mayroon kami dito na, [bukod sa regular items], mga non-regular items, mga Contract of Service, mayroon din kaming Foreign National Labor Inspectors,” Engr. Gacosta explained.
The Provincial Head even offered to connect him with companies in Rizal who are in search of employees related to his degree program.
Never an easy road
Vigilla said that since this is his last semester, it became more challenging for him and his classmates to juggle their school requirements.
“Medyo mahirap po kasi pinagsabay-sabay po kasi namin iyong thesis, on-the-job training, pati face-to-face din po sa school and iyong online [na setup],” said Vigilla when asked about his last semester.
However, whenever he feels tired because of his schoolwork, he always thinks of his parents who are also his motivation and inspiration to strive even further to finish his studies.
“Iyong magulang ko po. Kasi eight hours lang po dapat sila [nagtatrabaho] pero nagoovertime po sila para mapunan lang po iyong pangangailangan po sa pag-aaral naming apat na magkakapatid,” Vigilla tearily narrated.
Vigilla failed to hide his tears when he received the checks from Engr. Gacosta and Supervising Labor and Employment Officer Victoria B. Natanauan.
“Parang medyo nabunutan po ng tinik kasi makakagraduate na po ako. Dati po kasi iniisip namin iyong pang-tuition fee ko lagi, na sana makagraduate ako, makatulong ako sa pamilya ko,” Vigilla said.
John Paul started to be an Isabelo delos Reyes Scholarship grantee during his first year in college. That is why he gratefully thanked the Department for giving him financial assistance to be able to finish his studies.
“Sana marami pa po kayong matulungan kasi dahil sa programa po ninyo, marami po kayong natutulungan na makapagtapos ng pag-aaral,” Vigilla added.
After graduation, Vigilla, bearing the weight of a first-born child, promised to find a job to help his family and his three siblings to finish their studies as well.
by:
CHARMAINE D. BAISA
LEO III
FLINT OSRIC T. GOROSPE
Labor and Employment Officer I
