To ensure that Dabawenyo students have access to education, the City Government of Davao continues to offer education assistance to qualified indigent Dabawenyos through its Educational Benefit System Unit (EBSU).
During the School Year (SY) 2022-2023, EBSU logged a total of 2,105 scholars with 390 graduates.
In S.Y. 2023-2024, EBSU had 2,368 scholars with 292 graduates, while in S.Y. 2024-2025 there were 2,512 Dabawenyos who were able to avail of the EBSU scholarship.
Emilio Domingo Jr., EBSU’s Head, said in an interview that as of March 30, 2025, 150 EBSU scholars already graduated.
Domingo also said that for the coming school year, EBSU is adding 300 more slots for its scholarship programs.
Other than the 300 available slots, a total of 100 slots were allotted for the Financial Assistance Program for Indigenous Peoples (IPs), 100 slots for the Technical and Vocational Skills Training Program, and 100 slots for the Persons with Disabilities.
Domingo said that Mayor Sebastian Duterte added 300 slots in addition to the approved budget for the scholarship program.
“Nakita man gud ni Mayor nga kinahanglan naa ta’y increase para mas dagha’ng students sa Davao ang maka-avail sa scholarship (The mayor saw the need to increase and add more slots so that more Dabawenyo students will be able to avail of the scholarship program),” he said.
Dabawenyo students may avail of the EBSU’s Scholarship on Tertiary Education Program-Financial Assistance (STEP-FA), Special Educational Assistance Program (SEAP), Financial Assistance Program for Lumad students, Technical and Vocational Skills Training Program, Education Assistance for persons with disability or children with special needs; and Law and Medical Education Program.
The STEP-FA program has three categories: A, B, and C. Eligible scholars under Category A will receive P25,000 every semester or P50,000 annually, while scholars under Category B are entitled to a P20,000 financial assistance per semester or P40,000 annually.
Meanwhile, Category C scholars will receive P7,500 every semester or P15,000 annually.
Eligible scholars for the Technical and Vocational Skills Training Program are entitled to receive an annual financial assistance amounting to P15,000.
For children with special needs, there is an annual education assistance of P10,000.
Dabawenyo students who wish to avail of the STEP-FA program must provide a certificate of residency, certificate of indigency or illegibility issued by the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), an income tax return or certificate of tax exemption of both parents, and a certificate of good moral character.
Incoming freshmen must bring their grades in senior high school, while college students must bring their last two semester’s grades.
For IP students who wish to avail of the Financial Assistance Program for Lumad students, in addition to the STEP-FA requirements, they must also bring a National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) certificate.
Online applications for SY 2025-2026 will run from April 21–30.
Interested applicants for the EBSU are also advised to visit the website of the City Government of Davao and the EBSU-STEP Facebook Page which can be accessed at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100067947439186 for updates. CIO
