DAVAO CITY — In a decisive step toward inclusive education and social equity, the City Government of Davao and NCCC Cares formally launched a scholarship program dedicated to Moro and Indigenous Peoples (IP) students, marking a renewed commitment to uplift marginalized communities through access to quality education.
The NCCC Cares Scholarship Program for Moro and Indigenous Peoples was officially sealed on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, during a ceremonial signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) held at NCCC Mall. Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte and NCCC President Lafayette A. Lim led the signing, symbolizing a public–private partnership grounded in shared responsibility and social development.
Under the program, NCCC Cares will provide full scholarships, including financial allowances, to the first batch of 17 students coming from Moro and IP communities in Davao City. The assistance is expected to cover essential educational needs, easing the financial burden on families and allowing scholars to focus fully on their studies.
City officials said the initiative is more than a financial grant—it is an investment in human potential.
“This scholarship is about opening doors that have long been closed for many of our Moro and Indigenous youth,” a city official said on the sidelines of the event. “Education remains one of the strongest tools to break the cycle of poverty and inequality.”
The launch ceremony was attended by Councilor Antoinette Principe, deputy mayors, NCCC executives, and heads of various city departments, reflecting broad institutional backing for the program and the city’s continuing push for inclusive growth.
For NCCC Cares, the scholarship underscores its expanding role beyond commerce and into community-building. Company executives emphasized that empowering young people from historically underrepresented sectors aligns with the organization’s corporate social responsibility thrust.
As Davao City continues to position itself as a center of diversity and inclusion, the scholarship program stands as a concrete reminder that partnerships—when anchored on shared values—can translate policy commitments into real opportunities.
For the 17 scholars who make up the pioneering batch, the program represents more than academic support. It is a vote of confidence in their dreams—and a clear message that their place in the future of the city matters.