Ex-Davao Sur governor leaves P4.5-M debt for scholars program

DIGOS CITY, Davao del Sur—The administration of former Davao del Sur Gov. Douglas Cagas has left a total debt of P4.5 million for its scholarship program, putting almost 1,000 beneficiaries at risk of not continuing with their studies.

“These scholars were promised that their tuition would be paid after the May 2013 election, but Cagas lost. Now, these students don’t know what to do,” Genaro Dumayas, scholarship program director of Gov. Claude Bautista, said.

On Sept. 10, Bautista met with the scholars, most of them taking technical courses, and  promised that the debt would be paid so they could continue with their studies.

Documents obtained by the Inquirer showed that the Cagas administration owes a total of P4,550,441.96 to 10 schools all over the province.

Dumayas said the governor had set aside some P25 million for the expansion of the program, but scholars have to meet the standard passing grade or face disqualification.

The Inquirer tried but failed to reach Cagas through his mobile phone. Orlando B. Dinoy, Inquirer Mindanao