DBP recently presented 10 graduates of B.S. Nursing and 13 graduates of maritime courses who were assisted by the bank under its DBP Endowment for Education Program (DEEP).

DBP president & chief executive officer Francisco F. Del Rosario, Jr. said the nurses represent the first batch of DEEP scholars comprising a total of 113 graduates, with 21 of them graduating with honors. The nurses graduated from DBP partner-schools: Saint Louis University, Our Lady of Fatima University, Trace College, Cebu Normal University, Western Visayas University, Xavier University and Mindanao State University.

The maritime graduates, on the other hand, represent 184 cadets from various partner-schools who are now ready for shipboard training, and are eligible for permanent employment in 2013.

DEEP is a corporate social responsibility project 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.

The program began in 2008 and initially supported 120 nursing students enrolled in various schools all over the country. In 2009, a projected huge demand for seafarers and technical/ vocational skills prompted DBP to refocus the program on supporting over 350 scholars in maritime and short-term courses. The expanded scope of the program also allowed qualified students to complete courses in HRM, education, and forestry.

Now on its fifth year, DEEP 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 the bank exits from DEEP in 2017.

DBP chairman Jose A. Nunez, Jr. (third from left) and DBP president & chief executive officer Francisco F. Del Rosario, Jr. (fourth from left) pose with the graduates of B.S. Nursing and maritime courses assisted by DBP through its DEEP scholarship program.