Background

The Phi Beta Epsilon Fraternity Scholarship Project was formally launched on December 6, 2006. It was recommended by all the brothers who attended the 2005 Dinagyang Reunion in Iloilo City last August 2005 to begin the ground works so that our needy resident brothers could be benefited immediately. Before its launching we have encountered many obstacles especially in the formulation of the guidelines.

Achievements

We have put in place a scholarship committee composed of brothers and sisters from the different geographical locations who helped a lot in formulating the guidelines. After encountering a lot of questions regarding some defects, We believe that these guidelines needs more refinement and revisions to suit the present situation of our alumni leading the project in Iloilo City and our resident brothers who are the beneficiaries of our program.

We started a fund raising campaign to fund the project and so far we have been successful doing it. In December 2005 we have taken advantage of the CPU matching program and deposited PhP 205,270.00 matched by CPU with the same amount. As of this year the deposit earned Php3,000.00. This amount was disbursed as grants to 3 CPU resident brothers at Php1,000.00 each.

On July 10, 2006, we received a certificate of recognition from CPU as the only fraternity with such a scholarship project in that school.

On August 6, 2006, Brod. Jess Bacera, coordinated with Brod Bruce Benosa in determining the scholarship candidates. Creation of a Technology Resource Center was also planned and discussed. This was reiterated during the Betans Board of Director's Meeting last October 21, 2006. Brod Ely Bagtasus was assigned to further coordinate with Richard Salas - WIT President, on the need of the facility. 

On August 8, 2006, we initiated communications with our San Agustin resident brothers and found out that Brod. Melandro Valebia is one of the faculty. Since then, we still have been attempting to communicate with him in order to start the program in that school.

On October 3, 2006, Brod. Jess Bacera rolled out our scholarship website www.philippinesscholarship.org borrowed from our former site maintained by Brod Jairus Cancel. The site contains different information about our program. Soon we will be able to receive donations from the site when our tax exempt status is approved.

As of this writing, the balance of our scholarship fund reported by our fund treasurer is $7,361.00. This amount is available for use for WIT and San Agustin resident brothers who qualify for scholarship. This is equivalent to 23 awardee-semester.

Ongoing Efforts

The Scholarship Committee headed by Brod Danny Damasco is continuing the fundraising drive. We are encouraging and appreciate donations from member and all other donors.