AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING MUNICIPAL SCHOLARSHIP AND EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF ROXAS, PROVINCE OF ORIENTAL MINDORO AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREOF

NOW THEREFORE, be it ordained by the Sangguniang Bayan of Roxas, Oriental Mindoro, in session assembled:

ARTICLE I
GENERAL PROVISIONS

SECTION 1. TITLE — This Ordinance shall be known as the “Municipal Scholarship Ordinance of Roxas, Oriental Mindoro.”

SECTION 2. DECLARATION OF POLICY — It is hereby declared the policy of the Municipality of Roxas to:

a. Promote access to quality higher education;

b. Recognize and reward academic excellence;

c. Ensure equitable access to educational opportunities for Indigenous Peoples (IPs), particularly members of the Mangyan communities;

d. Institutionalize transparency, fairness, inclusivity, accountability, and merit-based selection in scholarship administration; and

e. Complement national educational assistance programs and other lawful educational support mechanisms.

SECTION 3. PURPOSE — This Ordinance seeks to establish a sustainable scholarship program that provides educational assistance to qualified and deserving Roxaseño students pursuing higher education and promotes excellence, inclusivity, and equal opportunity.

ARTICLE II
DEFINITION OF TERMS

SECTION 4. DEFINITION OF TERMS — For purposes of this Ordinance, the following terms are defined as follows:

a. Municipal Qualifying Examination — A standardized examination administered by the Municipal Government to assess the academic aptitude and preparedness of scholarship applicants.

b. Municipal Excellence Scholar — A qualified applicant selected and awarded scholarship benefits under this Ordinance.

c. Indigenous Peoples (IP) Student — A member of an Indigenous Cultural Community recognized by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), including members of the Mangyan communities residing within the Municipality of Roxas.

d. Composite Score — The combined score derived from the Municipal Qualifying Examination, academic performance, and other evaluation criteria approved by the Municipal Scholarship Board.

e. Retention Requirements — Standards required to maintain scholarship benefits.

f. Municipal Scholarship Board — The body tasked to administer, evaluate, monitor, and implement this Ordinance.

ARTICLE III
MUNICIPAL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

SECTION 5. COVERAGE — The Municipal Scholarship Program shall provide scholarship assistance to qualified and deserving Roxaseño students pursuing higher education. The Program shall recognize academic excellence as the basis for scholarship selection. Scholarship grants shall be awarded through a unified scholarship system administered by the Municipal Scholarship Board.

To promote inclusivity and equitable access:

a. At least one (1) scholarship slot for every ten (10) scholarship slots awarded annually shall be allocated to qualified Indigenous Peoples applicants, particularly members of the Mangyan communities;

b. If no qualified Indigenous Peoples applicant is available, the reserved slot shall revert to the general scholarship pool;

c. Such additional merit consideration shall not create a separate scholarship category but shall form part of the overall evaluation system.

All incoming first-year college applicants shall undergo the Municipal Qualifying Examination.

SECTION 6. QUALIFICATIONS — An applicant must:

a. Be a Filipino citizen;

b. Be a bona fide resident of Roxas, Oriental Mindoro for one (1) year immediately preceding the application;

c. Be enrolled or accepted in a recognized Higher Education Institution within the Municipality;

d. Pass the Municipal Qualifying Examination;

e. Submit a Certificate of Indigency validated by the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO);

f. Parents or guardians must be a registered voter of Roxas;

g. Submit all documentary requirements prescribed by the Municipal Scholarship Board; and

h. Not be a graduate of any degree program.

i. Must be an incoming first (1) year student.

SECTION 7. SELECTION OF SCHOLARS — The Municipal Committee shall rank applicants based on:

a. Municipal Qualifying Examination;

b. Academic Performance

Selection Criteria

• 60% — Municipal Qualifying Examination

• 40% — Academic Performance

SECTION 8. SCHOLARSHIP BENEFITS — Qualified Municipal Excellence Scholars shall receive scholarship assistance in the amount of Ten Thousand Pesos (P10,000.00) per semester, subject to the availability of funds and compliance with retention requirements.

SECTION 9. RETENTION REQUIREMENTS — To continue receiving scholarship benefits, scholars must:

a. Maintain the required GWA of 85%;

b. Carry a regular academic load;

c. Submit certified grades every semester;

d. Maintain good moral character;

e. Must render five (5) days of community service per semester.

f. Comply with all requirements of the scholarship program.

Failure to comply with these requirements may result in suspension or termination of scholarship benefits after due notice and evaluation.

SECTION 10. GROUNDS FOR TERMINATION — Scholarship benefits may be terminated on the following grounds:

a. Failure to meet retention requirements;

b. Submission of falsified documents;

c. Dropping out or failure to enroll;

d. Engagement in misconduct or activities prejudicial to the Municipality, such as:

- commission of any criminal offense of violation of local ordinances;

- public behavior that brings disrepute to the municipality;

- posting or sharing false, offensive, or harmful content on social media that damages the LGU's reputation;

- disrespect toward public officials, faculty or fellow scholars;

- acts of dishonesty;

- commission of disciplinary violations and breach of school policies;

- other behaviors that are inconsistent with the values of integrity, discipline, and service expected of municipal scholars.

ARTICLE IV
MUNICIPAL SCHOLARSHIP GOVERNANCE

SECTION 11. IMPLEMENTATION AND ADMINISTRATION. The Municipal Scholarship Board and the Municipal Scholarship Committee shall be the primary implementing bodies of this Ordinance, each exercising their respective powers and functions as defined herein.

SECTION 12. CREATION OF GOVERNING BODIES

a. Municipal Scholarship Board (The “Board”) There is hereby created a Municipal Scholarship Board, composed of the following:

Chairperson: Municipal Mayor

Vice Chairperson: Municipal Administrator

Members:

o Chairperson, Committee on Education

o Chairperson, Committee on Laws

o SK Federation President

o Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officer

o Municipal Budget Officer

o Municipal Planning and Development Coordinator

o Municipal Treasurer

o Human Resource Management Officer

o Public Schools District Supervisor

o Representative from a Private Educational Institution

o Representative from the Indigenous Peoples Sector