Businessman and former Ambassador Eduardo Murphy Cojuangco Jr. was endorsed to be conferred the distinguished honor of being an adopted son of Bacolod by the Negros Tsinoy, Crispin Chua said yesterday.

Chua, vice chairman of the Amity Fire Brigade, said they have also requested that Cojuangco be made an honorary mayor of Bacolod City on Friday during the opening of the second Bacolaodiat Festival celebration in the city.

Last year, the group also requested the same honors for business tycoon Lucio Tan during the first Bacolaodiat Festival.

Chua said Cojuangco is a fifth generation Chinese and his adoption as a son of Bacolod has nothing to do with politics. Cojuangco has even went to China to trace his roots, he added.

Aside from being a Tsinoy, Cojuangco has many meritorious accomplishments, not only in Bacolod but in the whole country, Chua said.

Meanwhile, Chua, who is the Parent Enabling Parent Coalition-Negros chairman, said that from July 2006 to Jan. 2007 they have released about P1.2 million in tuition assistance for 62 students in Bacolod City victimized by educational companies who failed to pay their obligations.

As of January about 61,000 plan holders nationwide have applied with the PEP for tuition assistance good for one semester, he said. Perhaps, by next school year, they will give tuition assistance for the whole course from the funds of former Rep. Mark Jimenez.

Chua said that during their second national convention in Manila recently, Mayor Evelio Leonardia and Vice Mayor Renecito Novero were present since their families have also been victimized. He said Jimenez thanked both officials for helping recommend students who need tuition assistance.

He also promised to give their group a minimum of P50-100 million as additional subsidiary for the students, Chua said.

Leonardia said Jimenez has given more than a million pesos and the bulk of it was given in Bacolod City.

He also said Jimenez has also promised him and Novero that he will add more funds and give special attention to the victims in Bacolod.*CGS

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