San Esteban, Ilocos Sur -- Apology

AN APOLOGY

From the Municipal Scholarship Fund Board

And the Municipal Scholars

Our attention was called over the “Thank You” Letters made by the recently graduated college scholars that we requested to be posted on the web site. Indeed, there was an omission done in acknowledging the donors. It only mentioned the SESAA and the Municipal Officials and missed altogether the regular contributors namely San Esteban Circle of California (SECC) and the San Esteban Website and other associations and individuals who gave their shares to the scholarship program that started in 2002.

Please accept our sincerest apologies for the blunder that has raised many eyebrows and sowed confusion among town mates abroad. The scholars, who graduated on the 3^rd week of March, were instructed by us to write the letters which was hand carried to the USA by Mr. Rudy Europa, the former President of SESAA who was going home before the end of March. Perhaps, it was the feeling of excitement and enthusiasm to extend their gratitude that lead to the omission of the other donors. But still, there’s no excuse to that since we, the higher authority, did overlooked the contents of the letters. We stand to be corrected and admit to our fault. We were unfair to others. The acknowledgement letters should also have mentioned SECC, the San Esteban Website, and other associations like the San Estebanians of Washington, the San Estebanians of Hawaii, the Sons and Daughters of SEC Hawaii and all generous individuals who have contributed to the success of this program.

Periodic audited Financial Statements (FSs) are done to record the sources and disbursements. From beginning to the present there were 6 FSs done and they are FS No. 1 dated June 12, 2003; FS No. 2 dated July 5, 2004; FS No. 3 dated January 31, 2005; FS No. 4 dated August 5, 2005; FS No. 5 dated January 19, 2006 & FS No. 6 dated March 17, 2006 respectively.

For transparency purposes we have attached a reproduction of FS Nos. 1 to 6 which we make accessible for everyone to see and review.

We would like also to inform you some facts about the scholarship program as follow:

1. At the onset there were 3 scholars, then in 2004, we added 2 more. We now are maintaining 5 scholars. The original 3 graduated last March. Out of the 5, there are 4 full scholars and 1 half scholar.

2. A full scholar receives P2, 500/month or P25,000 a year or P100,000 until the scholar graduates from a 4 year college degree. A half scholar receives P1,250 or P12,500 a year.

3. In summary, we released P75,000 for SY 2002-2003; P75,000 for SY 2003-2004; P112,500 for SY 2004-2005 and P112,500 for SY 2005-2006 or a total of P375,000 since the beginning.

4. The annual sources of funds or the regular contributors are the following:

P50,000 from the Sangguniang Kabataan of San Esteban
P50,000 from the Municipal Government
$500 from the San Esteban Circle of California (SECC)
$300 from the San Esteban Schools Alumni Association (SESAA)
$100 from the San Esteban Website
Other individuals who gave in dollars and pesos ( see FS Nos. 4 & 5)
Bank Interests ( the funds are kept in a savings trust account)

5. From the above figures, a pie diagram sharing will show that roughly 1/3 of the scholarship fund is derived from donations abroad.

6. In the first two school years there were contributions that came from other associations namely the San Estebanians of Washington, the Sons and Daughters of SEC Hawaii and the San Estebanians of Hawaii ( see FS No. 1 & 2)

7. There are also individuals who gave considerable amounts i.e. Ramon & Violy Lores ($ 500), Tess Guinto (see FS Nos. 3 & 5), souvenir program commission of Rudy Europa and William Esperanza (P15,500) and others (please refer to the FS)

8. We have screened new applicants for SY 2006-2007. We are planning to approve 4 new scholars and their names will be announced a few weeks from now.

9. SESAA has a yearly program of Cash Incentives given to honor students of the graduating class. It is awarded during the respective closing ceremonies of the 2 High Schools and 4 Elementary schools in San Esteban in the total amount of $600. It is distinct from the municipal scholarship program.

We welcome your comments and suggestions that will make the scholarship program better.

Again, to those we have unintentionally hurt because of the omission, and in behalf of the scholars who made the innocent mistake, we are really sorry for the matter and please accept our apologies. We will take this as a learning experience and in the future will handle the acknowledgements with much care and prudence. Rest assured that your donations are properly accounted for and utilized for the purpose as evidenced by the graduation of the original scholars.

We thank you for your kind understanding. Let us now move forward and appeal again to continue supporting the scholarship program that benefits our poor but deserving students in San Esteban. May the Good Lord Bless You All!!

( The Municipal Scholarship Fund Board is composed of Mayor Armando V. Abad –Chairman; Vice Mayor Norman V. Mendoza- Vice Chairman; Members - SBM & SK President Rosario S. Vergara; SBM George E. Balmaceda-Chairman Committee on Education; Municipal Planning & Development Coordinator Marjorie C. Pastor; Municipal Budget Officer- Alexander Eleccion and Municipal Treasurer Angelita H. Arce. The MSFB was created through a municipal ordinance authored by the late SBM Sulpicio Mendoza in 2002)