DBP scholars register 100% passing rate in nursing exam

QUEZON CITY, PHILIPPINES-- State-owned Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) has announced that 109 nursing graduates of its DBP Endowment for Education Program (DEEP) passed the nursing board licensure examination given last June, with four of its graduates making it to the top ten.

DBP president & chief executive officer Francisco F. Del Rosario, Jr. in a statement said the top placers include: Joey Dela Torre, Jr. of Cebu Normal University (4th placer, with a score of 85); Mar John Jambora of Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan (5th placer, with scoe of 84.8); Gina Baylosis of Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan (8th placer, with a score of 84.2); and Alexis Aguinaldo of Saint Louis University (10th placer, with a score of 83.8).

DEEP is a corporate social responsibility project of the bank that provides scholarships to bright and promising youth (including persons with disabilities) from low-income families who wish to pursue a degree or non-degree course in the fields of maritime education, agriculture, technical/ vocational courses, entrepreneurship, forestry, education, and hotel and restaurant management. DEEP’s scholarship assistance covers the whole range of a scholar’s requirements, including cost of living and allowances.

Dela Torre is the son of a factory worker in Zamboanga City. The second in a brood of four, he admits that poverty made it difficult for his parents to support their education. One of his siblings had stopped going to school while his eldest sister has yet to take up her board examinations due to financial constraints.

“Siguro kung hindi ako naging DBP scholar malamang hindi rin ako nakapagtapos,” Dela Torre shared. He also said that with DBP’s support, he was able to focus on his studies and the preparation for the nursing board exams.

Three DBP nursing partner-schools -- Cebu Normal University, West Visayas State University and Saint Louis University -- also made it to the top ten performing schools with passing rates of 100%, 99.36%, and 98.94, respectively.

The nursing graduates form the first batch of DBP scholars who were enrolled in seven partner-schools in 2008. From an initial number of 120 scholars, the batch was trimmed down to 113 who have all graduated this year. DBP is also assisting these nursing graduates in finding employment opportunities.

In 2009, DEEP shifted its focus towards supporting students in the maritime field, as well as in short-term technical courses, in response to the increase in demand for seafarers and technically-skilled workers. It also established tie-ups with reputable employers and manning companies to guarantee employment of its scholars or graduates. Now on its fifth year, DBP is supporting 1,351 scholars across all levels.

Del Rosario said DBP has organized the DEEP Scholars’ Association, Inc. (DEEPSA) to ensure the sustainability of the program. DEEPSA will accept voluntary contributions from DEEP graduates to build up funds and continue the program after DBP exits from DEEP in 2017. (DBP)

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