City of San Fernando mayoral aspirant Mylyn Pineda-Cayabyab has made a substantial impact on the local education sector through her flagship MyScholar Fund program, which prioritizes indigent students by providing scholarships and educational resources, benefiting 5,000 students to date.
Pineda-Cayabyab, recognizing that the youth are the hope of the future, emphasizes that education is key to unlocking employment opportunities and driving economic activity in the capital city.
To support this vision, she personally allocated P50 million—ensuring that not a single centavo came from government funds—to supplement the existing Educational Financial Assistance Program (EFAP) provided by Pampanga governor Dennis Pineda and vice governor Lilia ‘Nanay’ Pineda. This initiative reflects her meticulous and disciplined work ethic, which she has maintained since she was a student, values she inherited from her mother, and ensures that more students receive the assistance they need to complete their education and contribute to the city’s growth.
Through this program, all student beneficiaries received P5,000 per semester, amounting to P10,000 for the entire academic year. The distribution occurred over three batches on September 21, 22, and 29, with students and their parents or guardians gathering at Kingsborough Convention Center.
The MyScholar Fund allows students to pursue any course at any college or university, requiring only a certificate of enrollment, report card, barangay certificate, and proof of no failing grades.
Pineda-Cayabyab stressed, “I believe that education is essential for securing a brighter future. Discipline and parental support play vital roles in your college journey. Additionally, I am excited to announce plans for providing employment assistance after graduation, with opportunities for local and overseas placements, including in South Korea.”
All of the city’s 35 barangays partnered in the program’s implementation, receiving support from barangay chairmen and kagawads.
Moreover, she emphasized the importance of using the city budget wisely. In addition to focusing on education and health, she highlighted the need for strategic planning to address perennial issues such as flooding, solid waste management, and livelihood opportunities.
Pineda-Cayabyab has an extensive political background, having served as the mayor of Lubao and later as a provincial board member for Pampanga’s 3rd district. Her key initiatives have revolved around education, cultural preservation, and support for economic growth in the region. She chaired the committees on Culture and the Arts, Appropriations, and Education. One of her flagship projects was advocating for Pampanga to be designated the “Culinary Capital of the Philippines,” with support from former President now representative of the 2nd district of Pampanga Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Following her resignation from the provincial board in April, her move to transfer her residency and voter registration to her birthplace received backing from 23 barangay chairmen, underscoring her strong local support. She is reportedly teaming up with incumbent vice mayor BJ ‘Tiger’ Lagman and some reelectionist SP members.