The Catholic Diocese of Balanga in the northern Philippines is providing scholarship for children of overseas Filipino workers displaced by the coronavirus pandemic.
Bishop Ruperto Santos of Balanga said the scholarship grants will be set up in its nine diocesan schools.
While he noted the drop of enrollees because of the health crisis, the bishop said it should not stop the diocese from assisting those in need.
“We need to make more sacrifices and be willing to serve and to share our resources,” said Bishop Santos.
The diocese has also granted a 10,000-peso assistance to teachers for the purchase of laptop computers.
“Indeed this is a very difficult and hard time. We are all affected by Covid-19. All are suffering,” said the prelate.
Bishop Santos said the pandemic has affected enrollment trends in Catholic schools.
“We have only 80 percent enrollees. No enrollees for kinder and prep; and some transfer to public schools,” he said.
Aside from the diocesan schools, the prelate said the college seminary also suffered a “huge” decrease in enrollment.
