DAVAO CITY — Newly proclaimed second district representative Vincent Garcia said one of his priority programs to help the poor sector is the scholarship programs which started since his first term of office with about 600 students enrolled yearly at the University of Southeastern Philippines (USEP) in Obrero, Davao City
Gracing the Sunday regular TV program Gikan sa Masa Para sa Masa together with elected representative of the third district Roy Ungab, Congressman Garcia said it is simple to join his scholarship project. Any high school graduate can just take the entrance examination to be given by USP and if the student passed the test, he can continue his or her studies, he said.
You dont have to ask a favor to any official or barangay captain to be able to be a scholar under my program for the poor, Congressman Garcia said.
On top of providing good roads and infrastructure facilities in his own district, he said he is pushing on providing adequate electricity in all barangays in the second district including cheap medicines.
Lowering the prices of frequently purchased medicines to make them accessible to the public especially the poor, is among the top priorities of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo since she assumed office in 2001.
While the President initiated the GMA 50 program, I have also established Botika sa Barangays in my district in cooperation with the Department of Health Center for Health Development through Davao Medical Center (DMC) chief of hospital, Dr. Gerardo Cunanan, he said.
Congressman Garcia said cheap medicines through the establishment of Botika sa Barangays is in line with the 10-point agenda of the Administration in serving the poor and make medicines available at cheaper prices.
The public can also buy medicines at low cost at the Botika sa Masa which has been established at DMC to serve patients of the hospital.
Through the GMA 50 program, the government has pledged to cut the prices of medicines to its lowest price and assure the public that they are readily available to government hospitals, local government units (LGUs) and the Botika sa Barangay outlets, among others. (PIA XI Dispatch/rbpalacio)
