- Scholarships, classrooms and teacher support expand as 1,056 graduating students undergo job-readiness training
THE Provincial Government of Bohol is strengthening its education-to-employment pipeline through expanded scholarships, classroom construction, teacher deployment and learning support while equipping graduating students with practical skills for entering the workforce.
The Education Development Center (EDCenter) reported that it manages around ₱50 million from the General Fund and ₱100 million from the Special Education Fund to support scholarships, public schools, teachers and other educational initiatives across the province.
At the same time, 1,056 graduating students from 10 schools across Bohol participated in the Pre-Employment Orientation Seminar 2026 on October 25 at Saulog Gymnasium in Tagbilaran City, where they received guidance on job readiness, workers’ rights, safe employment and protection against illegal recruitment and human trafficking.
The two initiatives form part of the provincial government’s continuing effort to widen access to education while helping young Boholanos transition from school to meaningful employment.
For School Year 2025-2026, the Bohol Educational Subsidy Program provided ₱4,000 per semester to 1,200 college students.
The Carlos P. Garcia Scholarship Program supported 325 scholars with ₱6,000 per semester, a ₱1,000 monthly allowance and a ₱1,000 annual book allowance.
The Bohol Medical Scholarship Program also supports 30 aspiring doctors studying in medical schools nationwide.
Five scholars recently passed the Physician Licensure Examination, while eight beneficiaries are now serving their return-service obligations in Bohol’s 10 government-owned hospitals.
Through the Learning Support Program, more than 2,000 sets of school supplies were distributed to learners in more than 20 barangays and island schools.
The Boholano Topnotchers Incentive Program likewise recognized 21 qualified board examination topnotchers through cash incentives based on their rankings.
In school infrastructure, more than 80 classrooms in 49 schools are being prepared for construction under the National School Building Program, with the Program of Works already approved and the projects set to proceed to procurement.
The provincial government also continues to fund and deploy more than 140 provincial-paid teachers across 30 municipalities to help address teaching gaps.
Other education interventions include robotics kits for public schools, teacher training, learning materials, student leadership activities and support for Parent-Teacher Associations.
The province also allocates ₱2 million annually for vocational and livelihood training through TESDA-Bohol and has renewed its partnership with the Professional Regulation Commission by providing office space at the Old Capitol and personnel support.
These investments have contributed to Bohol’s standing among the country’s top 10 provinces in basic and functional literacy rates.
Bohol also placed second overall in the Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association Meet for two consecutive years after ranking third in 2024, with preparations now underway for the province’s hosting of the CViRAA Meet in 2028.
FROM SCHOOL TO WORK
Complementing these education initiatives, the provincial government, through the Bohol Employment and Placement Office-Public Employment Service Office, conducted the Pre-Employment Orientation Seminar to help graduating students prepare for job applications and understand their rights and responsibilities in the workplace.
Participating schools included BISU campuses in Balilihan, Bilar, Calape and Clarin; Bohol Northwestern College-Catigbian; Holy Name University; University of Bohol; North Coast Bohol Institute Inc.-Talibon; Colegio de Getafe; and Bohol Wisdom School.
Students said the seminar provided practical information they could use as they prepare to enter the labor market.
“As a graduating student nga ready na for my next journey, ang seminar is really informative para ma ready mi na mo apply ug trabaho,” said James Paul Dacaldacal of BISU-Balilihan.
Jellia Mae Roda of NCBII likewise said the seminar helped her understand the steps she needs to take before applying for employment.
BEPO-PESO Head Maria Vilma Yorong discussed the importance of pre-employment preparation in helping jobseekers make informed decisions and avoid employment-related risks.
Kent Anthony Calumba of Trabaho Bukas PH-Philippine Business for Education discussed job-ready skills, while Department of Labor and Employment-Bohol Field Office Labor and Employment Officer II Eda Mae Lopena explained workers’ and employers’ rights and obligations, including Republic Act No. 11261 or the First Time Jobseekers Assistance Act.
Dennis Galorio of the Department of Migrant Workers also presented programs and services for migrant workers, while Jobs180.com Managing Director Kim Chua gave practical guidance on resume writing, self-marketing, work ethics and answering common interview questions.
EDCenter, meanwhile, is working to align future scholarship programs with emerging workforce needs, particularly in agriculture, technology and health sciences.
It is also developing proposed tuition subsidy assistance for dependents of rebel returnees and coordinating with the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist on the proposed Bohol Agricultural Scholarship Program.
Together, the education and employment initiatives reflect the provincial government’s effort to ensure that Boholano learners are not only given greater access to schooling but are also better prepared to enter the workforce and contribute to the province’s development.
“Let us continue to believe in, invest in, and champion the power of education,” EDCenter Officer-in-Charge Jaypee Ian Morgia said. (Consolidated from PIMO reports)
