BPI Foundation sets up scholarship fund for COVID-19 medical front liners’ next of kin

BPI Foundation officially launched its “Pagpugay” scholarship program to support the next of kin of the medical front liners who passed away in the fight against COVID-19.

“We recognize the immense contribution of our medical front liners who are working tirelessly to help our fellow citizens combat the coronavirus. Unfortunately, a growing number have already passed away in the line of duty,” said BPI Foundation Executive Director Owen Cammayo.

“To honor their heroic efforts, we set up a scholarship fund to support the college education of their qualified next of kin.”

“Pagpugay” is a five-year scholarship program with an initial P1-million fund per school year. Ten scholars will be chosen this year, and will be supported annually until the completion of the course based on the program’s renewal guidelines. Each scholar will be provided a maximum of P100,000 scholarship fund per academic year to cover tuition fees and miscellaneous expenses.

The eligible applicants are the next of kin of the following medical front liners who passed away in the line of duty during the pandemic:

• Doctors
  
• Nurses
• Medical technologists
• Community health workers
• Administrative, utility, and support services personnel in health care facilities
  

If the deceased is married, the priority beneficiary will be one of his or her children. If single, the beneficiary can be next of kin up to the 2nd degree of consanguinity.

To qualify, students must have and maintain a General Weighted Average (GWA) of 85% or its equivalent and/or prevailing University standards for the previous school year (for incoming 1st year) or semester (for incoming 2nd year to 5th year). Applicants should be college/university students of the following schools:

• Ateneo de Manila University
  
• De La Salle University (Manila)
• Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology
• Saint Louis University – Baguio
• Silliman University
• University of Santo Tomas (Manila)
• University of San Carlos
• Xavier University – Cagayan de Oro
  

Through a partnership with iPeople Inc., a group of educational institutions managed by the Ayala and Yuchengco Groups, the Pagpugay scholarship will also cover qualified applicants from the following iPeople schools:

• Mapua University (Manila and Makati)
  
• Malayan Colleges of Laguna and Mindanao
• National Teachers College
• University of Nueva Caceres
  

“The Pagpugay Scholarship Program is both a tribute and a commitment. Just as our front line health workers have committed to protect our fellowmen during these times, we our committed to make education available for all, especially those affected by the pandemic”, said iPeople Inc. Chief Executive Officer Dr. Reynaldo B. Vea.

“We hope that through education, our scholars will, in turn, use their knowledge and future expertise to build a better place for Filipinos.”

Interested students may apply directly to the abovementioned schools. Additional details about the requirements and processes will soon be announced through the schools’ traditional and online platforms.

The deadline of application is on July 10, 2020, and successful applicants will be contacted by the end of July. For more details, please visit www.bpifoundation.org.