Empowering Future Lawyers: Ilocos Norte’s New Scholarship Initiative

October 10, 2023

LAOAG CITY – In a move to foster legal education, Ilocos Norte has set aside PHP2.8 million to launch its juris doctor scholarship initiative, set to benefit at least 16 aspiring law students this year.

On October 9, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (Provincial Board) greenlit the scholarship scheme, ensuring recipients will receive a monthly stipend of PHP5,000.

A unique aspect of this program is its service clause: once recipients successfully clear the Bar exams, they are obliged to offer their services to the provincial government for a two-year period.

Speaking to the media on October 10, Governor Matthew Joseph Manotoc disclosed that the allocation for the scholarship had been set in motion even before the board’s endorsement. The rationale? The provincial administration’s vision to bolster its legal team.

Provincial Board Member and legal professional Saul Paulo Lazo expounded on the initiative’s objectives, saying, “This scholarship is our effort to both support law enthusiasts and to address the accumulating unresolved court cases.”

It’s worth noting that Ilocos Norte’s commitment to education is nothing new. Over the previous two years, the province has channeled more than PHP266 million into various scholarship endeavors.

For additional information and further reading, refer to the original article here.