House rejects proposed scholarship program

The House of Representatives yesterday axed a proposed scholarship program for government employees wishing to obtain a college degree due to potential funding problem as it would allow recipients to take a leave from work for up to four years with pay on top of the educational aid.

A last-minute attempt by some members to save the measure failed as the House leadership stood pat in its decision. The 18-member chamber voted 9-7 to defeat a motion to refer it back to the Committee on Education.

House Bill 12-102, offered by Rep. Jesus T. Attao, sought to create a new scholarship program funded by the government for its employees to obtain degrees in order to meet the requirements for “hard-to-fill” positions such as accountants, teachers and auditors.

Those who would be eligible to receive the grants, to be administered by the Civil Service Commission, are public sector employees occupying permanent positions. Aside from paying their school expenses, they would be allowed to receive their salary while attending college.

While the committee chaired by Rep. Brigida DLG. Ichihara praised the intent of the bill, it maintained that at present, the Scholarship’s Office has been tasked to oversee the financial aid program for students pursuing a college or technical degree.

“The creation of another entity to administer another scholarship program could lead to coordination and collaboration problems and program accountability,” it said in a report.

In addition, the House is currently reviewing a plan to establish a comprehensive scholarship program that will incorporate proposals like Mr. Attao’s, according to Ms. Ichihara.

But proponents of the bill stressed some government employees cannot be promoted due to lack of necessary degree — a fact that has hindered their maximum potential as productive worker.

“The government will subsidize employees to leave work and go to school when we have a lot of people who don’t have work and don’t go to school,” said Speaker Benigno R. Fitial.

Meanwhile, the House also thumbed down a bill seeking to establish a government-sponsored employment referral system for all returning and on-island local college and vocational graduates looking for jobs in the Commonwealth.

Sponsored by Rep. William S. Torres, HB 12-50 was similar to an earlier measure vetoed by Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio because there are already existing agencies tasked with such purpose, including JTPA and the Division of Employment Services.

Although the Committee on Education acknowledged that these agencies have failed in coordinating their job placements, they have been assured of renewed efforts to provide these services as efficiently as possible.

During yesterday’s House session, the following bills were passed:

– HB 12-119, establishing a Division of Finance within the Legislative Bureau (for Senate action);

– HB 12-121, transferring regulation of the game jueteng to the office of the mayor for each senatorial district (for Senate action);

– HB 12-133, creating an Office of Administrative Hearings and Appeals within the judicial branch (for Senate action);

– HB 12-157, setting up a Health Care System Review Commission (for Senate action);

– HB 12-170, establishing a temporary Water Safety Task Force (for Senate action); and

– HB 12-162, designating Managaha Island and its surrounding waters as a marine conservation area (for Senate action).