NEARLY 1,800 PANTAWID BENEFICIARIES EARN COLLEGE DEGREES, 200 OF THEM WITH HONORS, AWARDS
Out of the 1,768 graduates, 200 received honors and leadership awards
A total of 1,768 students whose families received cash transfers from the government recently graduated from college. They received support under the Expanded Student Grantsin-Aid Program for Poverty Alleviation, which is a co component of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).
A total of 1,768 students from the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) under the Expanded Students Grants-in-Aid Program for Poverty Alleviation (ESGP-PA) recently finished college.
The ESGP-PA is implemented by the Commission on Higher Education together with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Labor and Employment, and state universities and colleges.
These students graduated from the five partner-SUCs in Central Visayas. These are Cebu Technological University (CTU), with 662 graduates; followed by Bohol Island State University (BISU), with 619 graduates; Cebu Normal University (CNU), with 306 graduates; Negros Oriental State University (NORSU), with 111 graduates; and Siquijor State College (SSC), with 70 graduates.
Out of the 1,768 graduates, 200 received Latin honors and leadership awards.
Achievement
Ma. Evelyn B. Macapobre, DSWD 7 regional director, congratulated the graduates for their achievement.
“We also recognize the efforts and continued support that the families of these graduates gave them,” said Macapobre.
The program provided opportunities to 4Ps households who have children who are determined to pursue college education and qualified for the scholarship. A college degree for the children-beneficiaries opens an opportunity for them to access better employment and help them improve their lives.
“The DSWD recognizes that having a degree will not immediately improve the beneficiaries’ quality of life but provides the way to better opportunities. Through the program, the DSWD has given these poor children and their families a chance to a better future,” said Macapobre.
Beneficiaries of the program are required to take up courses that are among those identified with the national development plans manpower demands. These include information technology (IT)-related courses in agriculture, education, science and math, engineering and health sciences-related courses.
The 4P’s or Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) is a program of the National Government that invests in the health and education of poor households primarily of children aged 18 and below.
It is implemented by the DSWD, together with other government agencies including the Department of Education (DepEd) and Department of Health (DOH).
The program provides cash grants to compliant household beneficiaries with health grant worth P500 and educational grants worth P300 and P500 each to the children studying in elementary and high school, respectively.