One of Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso’s first big acts in office was to sign a city ordinance granting a monthly allowance to students enrolled in the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) and the Universidad de Manila (UDM).

It’s now being enacted, with qualified students getting the first wave of their allowance in the amount of P1,000, through their Globe GCash accounts. It’s to be used however the student wishes.

Mayor Isko, who is a PLM alumnus, has been open about his love for the youth. This new program, which he signed in July 2019, is proof of it. It’s part of the government’s goal of social amelioration for the city—it’s a way to give back and help out the citizens of Manila.

Students of undergraduate degrees in PLM and UDM can expect to receive the monthly allowance until they graduate. The application process for the allowance has been fair and easy. Not much is required from the students although good conduct is an emphasized requirement.

The program is getting a lot of praise from students in classrooms and on social media. Many students see the allowance as a big help, to lessen the load of their parents and guardians.

There are also those who imagine that if they save up the allowance, it will stack up to a big sum that could open up options for them in the future. It could help later in the student’s transition to professional life. Others plan to use it for food and transportation, which are big and necessary expenses for any student.

One of the most important lessons that my mother drilled into me is that good food is always worth it and so I apply this when it comes to my allo­wance. She has this little philo­sophy where we don’t buy flashy clothes or travel much, but we should have good food on the table. I live in my dorm that’s far from home so I’m in charge of my own expenses and, besides the necessities, the main part goes to food. I make it a point to eat three square meals a day and some snacks whenever I need more energy. I’ve explored Manila and the place has a lot of healthy and filling food that have bled my wallet dry constantly, but my health is in a very good place. Eating healthy is an important thing that helps college students like me go a long way.

PLM president Emmanuel Leyco said that the goal of the city to help out the students doesn’t stop at just giving the allowance. It will also make sure that businesses in and out of the campus will be able to receive the e-currency the allo­wance comes in.

The allowance and support gives students a great amount of motivation to face the challenges of university life and to keep pressing on toward their goals. —CONTRIBUTED