MANILA, Philippines — Students on Pag-asa Island in Kalayaan, Palawan may eventually gain access to Department of Science and Technology scholarship programs as the agency works to expand its reach to the remote municipality.

DOST Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. said the department’s scholarship programs have already reached 72 of the 73 municipalities in MIMAROPA, with Kalayaan remaining the only municipality not yet covered.

The possible expansion comes as formal education on Pag-asa Island continues to develop.

According to Solidum, students on the island had access only to elementary education until 2024. Junior high school has since been established, opening a possible pathway for students to complete secondary education and eventually qualify for college and DOST scholarship programs.

Among the scholarships offered by the DOST are the DOST-Science Education Institute Merit Scholarship for students with strong aptitude in science and mathematics, and the scholarship program under Republic Act No. 7687 for qualified students from families that meet socioeconomic requirements.

The agency also offers Junior Level Science Scholarships for qualified third-year college students taking priority science and technology courses.

Across MIMAROPA, DOST currently supports 2,757 scholars, including 2,510 undergraduate students, 193 master’s students and 54 doctoral scholars.

Expanding scholarship access to Kalayaan could provide students living on the remote Pag-asa Island with opportunities to pursue higher education and careers in science, technology, engineering and other related fields.

However, DOST’s planned expansion should not be interpreted as the opening of a separate scholarship application exclusively for Pag-asa Island students. The agency is still working to extend its existing scholarship programs to Kalayaan.

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