By Daniel P. Tapaoan, Jr. 

Four incoming first year college students were very grateful to be admitted to the engineering programs of Mariano Marcos State University. Today, they have another blessing to be thankful for as they received scholarship grants from the First Balfour Inc., a prominent engineering and construction firm in the Philippines. 

The provision of scholarships to the students was formalized with the signing of a memorandum of agreement between First Balfour President and COO Anthony L. Fernandez and MMSU President Shirley C. Agrupis today, August 16, at the FEM Hall Conference Hall. 

Recipients of the company’s educational assistance are Israel Edra and Khrizel Ann Garaña (BS Civil Engineering), Justine Carl Balino (BS Mechanical Engineering), and Jerelyn Rangasan (BS Electrical Engineering). Each of them will be given a Php 50,000 allowance every year. 

“It is our first time to support engineering students, and we believe that their future is really bright,” said Mr. Fernandez, hoping the firm would help the scholars pursue their chosen career, and possibly hire them after they graduate. 

President Agrupis thanked the company for choosing MMSU as a beneficiary of its scholarship program, saying that this would surely “help us in educating and producing more topnotchers in the field of engineering.” Dr. Agrupis also expressed hopes to partner with the firm for other meaningful development initiatives. 

Ilocos Norte Vice Governor Cecilia Marcos, who graced the MOA signing, said she is happy that the company granted scholarships to the MMSU students. She encouraged the recipients “to be focused and serious about it, because this is a great chance for you to shape your future.”

The MOA signing was witnessed by First Balfour officials. Attendees from MMSU are Dr. Prima Fe Franco, MMSU vice president for academic affairs; Dr. Sharona Barroga, OIC dean of the College of Engineering; Dr. Jan Rich Guira, student affairs and services director; Dr. Jahnese Asuncion, institutional student programs and services chief; and COE department chairpersons: engineers Marlon Acoba, Salustiano Morales, and Odette Alegato. (HLY/JVBT, StratCom)