City of Batac Scholarship Program: Return Service Hours Guidelines

The City of Batac Scholarship Code introduces the Return Service Hours Program to cultivate volunteerism, civic responsibility, leadership, and community engagement among scholarship recipients. This initiative provides scholars with opportunities to contribute to the City Government of Batac and its partner institutions. These guidelines are applicable to all high school, tertiary, and graduate scholarship beneficiaries.

Every scholar is required to render a specific number of Return Service Hours annually, depending on their scholarship program. Junior High School academic scholars are required to complete 40 hours, while Senior High School academic scholars must complete 60 hours. These hours must be completed within a period set by the Local Youth Development Office (LYDO). Excess hours cannot be carried over, and all service must be personally rendered by the scholar; proxy service is strictly prohibited.

Scholars can earn service hours by participating in various activities, including City Government activities (programs, events, sports, environmental, youth development), Local Youth Development Office activities (youth camps, leadership programs, volunteer initiatives), Barangay-level activities (clean-up drives, tree planting, community assemblies, health programs), and other approved activities like volunteer work in government offices or community service projects authorized by the LYDO.

Barangays, government offices, schools, and partner organizations can request scholar volunteers using a Volunteer Request Form. All requests are subject to evaluation and approval by the Office of the Mayor. Scholars can only accumulate service hours from activities that have been officially approved. The simplified procedure for external requests involves submitting the form to the LYDO at least three days prior to the activity, assessment and approval by LYDO, direct coordination within the locality, and the submission of a Release of Liability and Accident Waiver Form by scholars, followed by a Certification of Completion after the activity.

Scholars must maintain an official Return Service Hours Log Sheet, which needs to be certified by the immediate supervisor or authorized activity coordinator. Falsified records will lead to disciplinary action. Digital or physical documentation such as attendance sheets, photos, and certificates are accepted. The LYDO is responsible for validating and recording all approved service hours. One actual hour of volunteer service equals one return service hour, but travel time is generally not counted unless specifically authorized. Partial hours may be credited based on actual attendance.

The Local Youth Development Office maintains records of completed service hours, and scholars can request updates on their accumulated hours. Periodic monitoring reports may be submitted to the LYDO and the Scholarship Committee. Scholars who fail to complete their required Return Service Hours without valid justification may receive a notice of non-compliance or face scholarship review and other sanctions determined by the Scholarship Committee. These guidelines are effective upon approval by the City Scholarship Committee and remain in force until amended or repealed.