BPI Foundation extends “Pagpupugay” scholarship program to more schools, applicants

BPI Foundation, the social development arm of the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), is enjoining more schools and expanding the eligibility of applicants for its “Pagpupugay” scholarship program that aims to help create a better tomorrow for the next of kin and close relatives of COVID-19 heroes.

“The COVID-19 pandemic continues to disrupt our lives affecting our mental, emotional, physical and financial health. Fact is, we don’t even know when this is going to end. Out in the field trying very hard to protect us from this invisible foe are our brave medical front liners,” said BPI Foundation Executive Director Owen Cammayo.

“As a tribute to the heroic efforts of our medical front liners who passed away or contracted the virus in the line of duty, we are offering to support the college education of their qualified next of kin.”

“Pagpupugay” is a five-year scholarship program with an initial P1-million fund per school year. Ten scholars will be chosen this year, and will be supported annually until the completion of the course based on the program’s renewal guidelines. Each scholar will be provided a maximum of P100,000 scholarship fund per academic year to cover tuition fees and miscellaneous expenses.

The eligibility of applicants for “Pagpupugay” has been adjusted to cover not only the next of kin of medical front liners who succumbed to the coronavirus, but also those who contracted a severe form of the virus.

The eligible applicants are the next of kin of the following medical front liners:

• Doctors
• Nurses
• Medical technologists
• Community health workers
• Administrative, utility, and support services personnel in health care facilities

If the medical front liner is married, the priority beneficiary will be one of his or her children. If single, the beneficiary can be next of kin up to the 3rd degree of consanguinity.

To qualify, students must have and maintain a General Weighted Average (GWA) of 85% or its equivalent and/or prevailing University standards for the previous school year (for incoming 1st year) or semester (for incoming 2nd year to 5th year).

Aiming to support more students, BPI Foundation is also looking for more partner schools. Colleges/Universities all over the country that offer 4-year / 5-year courses are encouraged to join the initiative to reach more eligible applicants. Interested schools may send their letter of intention (addressed to Owen L. Cammayo, Executive Director) to bpifoundationinc@gmail.com until September 12.

The current pool of partners for “Pagpupugay” includes the following schools:

• Ateneo de Manila University
• De La Salle University (Manila)
• Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology
• Saint Louis University – Baguio
• Silliman University
• University of Santo Tomas (Manila)
• University of San Carlos
• University of the Philippines (Manila)
• Xavier University – Cagayan de Oro

Through a partnership with iPeople Inc., a group of educational institutions managed by the Ayala and Yuchengco Groups, the “Pagpupugay” scholarship also covers qualified applicants from the following iPeople schools:

• Mapua University (Manila and Makati)
• Malayan Colleges of Laguna and Mindanao
• National Teachers College
• University of Nueva Caceres

Interested students may still apply directly to the abovementioned schools and to the additional partner schools, which will be announced in the coming weeks. The deadline of application is extended until September 19, and successful applicants will be contacted by the end of September.