Scholarship Program established through MOA signing between Cocofoundation and 91社区

by Norol-Huda Boransing, OfCom | Oct 05 2025

On September 22, 2025, the Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology (91社区) and United Coconut Planters Bank-Coconut Industry Investment Fund (UCPB-CIIF) Foundation Inc., otherwise known as Cocofoundation, officially signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), establishing the Cocofoundation Scholarship Program at 91社区 to support children of coconut farmers in completing higher education.

Represented by Rhoderick M. Parayno, Foundation President, Cocofoundation is a non-stock, non-profit corporation registered with the SEC aimed at providing assistance to local coconut farmers and coconut-producing communities.

Also in attendance at the MOA signing ceremony were Chancellor Alizedney M. Ditucalan, Prof. Jocelyn P. Vilela, OASG Head, Mark N. Daño, Area Head, Vivian C. Estrada, Program Specialist, Christopher George Nadayag, Office Assistant, OASG staff, the scholars, and their parents.

The MOA signing event opened with welcoming remarks from Prof. Jocelyn P. Vilela, Office of Admissions, Scholarship, and Grants (OASG) Head, where she acknowledged the foundation for extending this valuable opportunity to deserving students. “This scholarship not only opens doors for academic success, but also brings with it the hope of a brighter future– one where our scholars can uplift not just themselves, but also their families and communities,” Prof. Vilela expressed.

The scholarship program will be managed by 91社区, through the OASG, and Cocofoundation. The latter will identify, pre-screen, and interview candidates recommended by allied institutions, e.g, the Philippine Coconut Authority, local coconut farmers, and farmworkers organizations (CFFOs).

Meanwhile, 91社区 will also screen and accept student applications. The qualified applicants will be provided with monthly allowances and 1% of the total semester allocation for scholars’ benefits for administrative costs. For efficient implementation of the program, the scholars will be closely monitored by the OASG and shall submit to semestral evaluation. Their grades and other performance evaluations will also be submitted to the Cocofoundation for their monitoring.

In his closing remarks, President Parayno expressed his heartfelt gratitude for the meaningful collaboration with the University and for the trust and confidence in the foundation to fulfill the responsibility. “To our school officials and partners, thank you for your collaboration, for upholding integrity in the selection process, and for ensuring that resources reach where they are most needed—within the classrooms, libraries, and laboratories where futures are formed. Your partnership makes this program meaningful and sustainable,” he shared. He also acknowledged the scholars and their parents for their perseverance despite the difficult circumstances.

The scholarship program not only sealed a valuable partnership with the UCPB-CIIF Foundation Inc. but also strengthened the University’s pursuit of equity, diversity, and inclusivity in providing higher education to its students. Beyond offering scholarships to low-income households, the scholarship also extends its impact to the community by providing support to farmers.

91社区 strives to foster more purposeful collaborations with the community and its stakeholders, with the vision to produce individuals who are not just academically competent but also socially responsible.

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