Mariano Marcos
State University

DAR grants scholarships to 3 MMSU agri students

By Jedd Bryant Boado

Three sophomore agriculture students of Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) were selected as beneficiaries of the Department of Agrarian Reform’s (DAR) Scholarship Program for Dependents of Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (DSP-DARBs). This was announced during the ceremonial signing of a memorandum of agreement (MOA) at the Center for Flexible Learning on February 20.
 

The selected scholars, Nathalie Joy Valencia, Trixie Dyrel Dela Cruz, and Lucil Sahay, were accompanied by their parents and guardians, who are agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs). They are all enrolled at the MMSU Dingras Campus, located in Dingras, a major agricultural town in Ilocos Norte.
 

The MOA was signed between MMSU President Virgilio Julius P. Manzano Jr. and DAR Secretary Conrado Estrella III, represented by Director Agnes Mendoza of the Agrarian Reform Capacity Development Service (ARCDS). Also in attendance were MMSU Vice President for Academic Affairs Aris Reynold Cajigal, College of Agriculture, Food and Sustainable Development Dean Charles Batin, and Office of Student Affairs and Services Director Lawrence John Tagata.
 

On the part of DAR, present during the signing were Assistant Regional Director Vic Ines, DAR Ilocos Norte Chief Agrarian Reform Program Officer Rommel Aquino, and Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II Jessamine Jimenez.
 

Under the agreement, scholars will receive comprehensive assistance, including a monthly stipend, tuition fee support, book allowance, transportation and lodging allowances, graduation fees, and thesis support until they complete their degree programs.
 

In her speech, Director Mendoza described the program as a way of securing a better future for the children of ARBs so they can help their communities.
 

“This contract represents a promise, a promise that your aspirations matter, that your growth is vital to national development, and that your success will help shape a just, inclusive, and progressive countryside,” Director Mendoza said.
 

Meanwhile, Dr. Manzano urged the scholars to spend their stipends wisely to support their educational needs.
 

“I know what it means to have a scholarship, as I was a scholar from my college years through my postdoctoral studies. I hope that you will put the stipends you receive to good use so that you can perform well in school and eventually help uplift our agricultural communities,” the president said.
 

Three scholars, Valencia, Dela Cruz, and Sahay, who qualified through a competitive screening process also delivered their messages during the program. They expressed gratitude for the opportunity and promised to uphold the guidelines of their scholarship. The three committed to studying hard and maintaining strong academic performance in return for the support they received.
 

Their respective parents or guardians, Ronita Valencia, Queenie Antonio, and Tolits Sahay, also thanked DAR and MMSU, saying the scholarship has helped ease their financial burden.
 

Aside from the MOA signing, the program also included an orientation led by DSP-DARBs Scholarship Coordinators Ms. Cynthia Bunyi and Mr. Don Boniol, who informed the agriculture scholars and their parents about the program guidelines and benefits.
 

Funded by DAR’s Fund for Agrarian Reform Education under ARCDS, the scholarship aims to provide financial assistance to students enrolled in agriculture-related programs. From 2020 to 2025, the program has produced 52 graduates who are now working in various agriculture agencies in both the government and private sectors.