The National Police Commission (Napolcom) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with several academic institutions in the Bicol Region on Tuesday to provide scholarship opportunities to children of Philippine National Police (PNP) personnel.

The schools that signed the MOU are Forbes College, Bicol College, CAT College, Sorsogon College of Criminology, Naga College Foundation, Mabini Colleges, Pili Capital College, Universidad de Sta. Isabel and University of Saint Anthony.

The Napolcom scholarship program is open to all children of deceased or permanently disabled police officers. Standard tuition and miscellaneous fees from kindergarten through college, paid by the commission, range from PHP68,000 to PHP104,000 per year.

College scholars will receive PHP75,000 per semester, plus an additional PHP 30,000 per year for those enrolled in Special Education (SPED) programs.

Under the MOU, the schools shall accept all qualified Napolcom scholars based on certifications or documents issued by the commission attesting to their eligibility for the scholarship program.

Parents or guardians of qualified scholars are not required to make an advance payment upon enrollment or during the school term.

The commission will facilitate the release of payments for the covered fees within a reasonable period, subject to the availability of funds and the completeness of supporting documents.

Napolcom Vice Chairperson and Executive Officer Rafael Vicente Calinisan said the initiative aims to support the education of dependents of police officers who died or were permanently incapacitated in the line of duty.

“It’s two things: The timely payment to the school and the chance for a child of a police officer to study. With this MOU, all of our school partners agreed to provide our dependents, the children of police officers, with welfare to continue their studies,” Calinisan said.

Calinisan added that it is part of their job to promote the morale and welfare of the police officers who serve the country.

“They are far from their families. We are paying tribute to the services that all of us are given,” he said.

He encouraged other academic institutions to partner with the Napolcom for the scholarship program.

“Those educational institutions willing to partner with the Napolcom and the PNP to give scholarships for the children of police officers, don’t hesitate to approach us,” he said. (PNA)