Moreno seeks probe on scholars’ stipend delays

Councilor Imee Rose Moreno during the recent regular session reported anew the delayed payment of allowances of first-year city scholars even after she had previously discussed the same concern three months ago.

Moreno requested that the matter be referred to the Committee on Education, chaired by Councilor Suzette Daba, and called for updates from the City Education Development Office (CEDO) and the City Finance Department why only ₱102 Million was so far disbursed out of the ₱320 Million budget for scholars this year. 

Councilor Daba clarified that payment of tuition fees and allowances of city scholars is done on a quarterly basis.

Since the academic year for first-year scholars began in August, the processing of their allowances is still ongoing, she added.

While acknowledging Daba's response, Moreno stressed the need for timely payments, including tuition fees, citing instances where students who recently graduated in March this year were unable to secure their Transcript of Records (TOR) due to unpaid bills, hindering them from finding jobs.

Daba explained that auditing regulations prohibits the city from process payments in advance. Payments can only be made once the schools submit their billing statements.

She, however, assured the body that a committee meeting would be convened with the Local Finance Committee and CEDO to address all concerns raised by Moreno.