LAUR, Nueva Ecija (PIA) — As classes officially opened for School Year 2026–2027, the local government of Laur reaffirmed its commitment to expanding educational opportunities and improving student welfare through increased scholarship assistance, teacher support programs, and community-based initiatives.
Mayor Benjamin Padilla personally visited schools to check on the condition of learners and teachers and ensure a smooth and orderly reopening of schools.
During his visit, Padilla encouraged students to remain diligent, responsible, and disciplined in pursuing their education, emphasizing that learning is a vital investment toward a better future.
“Kayo ang pag-asa ng ating bayan. Ang bawat araw na inyong ginugugol sa paaralan ay isang hakbang patungo sa mas magandang kinabukasan,” the mayor said.
Padilla said during the recent episode of Leaders in Focus of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) that education remains one of the top priorities of his administration, citing its long-term impact on community development and economic progress.
Among the municipality’s key initiatives is the expansion of its scholarship program.
Financial assistance for qualified high school scholars was increased from P300 to P1,000, while college scholarship grants were raised to P3,000 per year or P1,500 per semester, with support from the Sangguniang Bayan.
The municipal government also continues to implement the Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES) in partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), providing additional financial assistance and employment opportunities for students.
To support educators, Laur enacted an ordinance granting P1,000 financial assistance every Teachers’ Day to both public and private school teachers in the municipality.
The local government also recently organized its first-ever DepEd Night, bringing together public and private school teachers to strengthen collaboration and camaraderie within the education sector.
Padilla likewise highlighted the continuing implementation of a local ordinance providing educational assistance to solo parents with children in school.
Eligible solo parents receive P3,500 for college students, P1,500 for high school students, and P500 for elementary pupils.
The mayor said these programs form part of the municipality’s broader development agenda aimed at uplifting the lives of every child in Laur through investments in education.
He added that the local government regularly visits barangays and remote sitios to bring government services closer to residents and ensure that community concerns are immediately addressed.
The municipality’s education-focused initiatives support the national government’s efforts under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to strengthen access to quality education, invest in human capital development, and equip Filipino learners with the skills needed to contribute to nation-building and sustainable economic growth. (CLJD/CNG, PIA 3-Nueva Ecija)
