As partners of the Department of Social Welfare and Development in addressing poverty by increasing number of college graduates from poor households, accredited State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) here in the region presently administers qualifying examinations to the potential grantees of the Expanded Student’s Grants-in-Aid Program for Poverty Alleviation or ESGP-PA.
These SUCs are the Batanes State University (BSU), Cagayan State University (CSU), Isabela State University (ISU), Quirino State University (QSU), Nueva Vizcaya State University (NVSU) and Philippine Normal University (PNU). These SUCs will also employ admission process and protocols to identify who among the potential grantees will fill up the available 994 slots for Region II.
Identified ESGP-PA scholars can enroll in any campus of the accredited SUCs and pursue any of the priority courses set forth by the scholarship program. Each student grantee shall be entitled to a maximum of P60, 000.00 pesos per year or P30, 000. 00 per semester.
During one of the meetings, Dr. Aleph Mamauag, the President of ISU, said that they feel honored to take part in helping the poor to finish college.
“We feel grateful as DSWD’s partner in the implementation of this program. Together, we can help these scholars and their families rise from poverty and the most effective medium, is through education,” Dr.Mamauag added.
Last year, the staff of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program conducted a regionwide validation to identify the potential grantees for ESGP-PA. Only one grantee per Pantawid household is allowed and must be a High School graduate withage not more than 30 years old. However, priorities shall be given to HS graduates aged 16-20 years old. Potential grantees may also be those who are currently enrolled in the accredited SUCs.
Moreover, the confirmation of qualified grantees is expected to be out next month.
The ESGP-PA is one of the poverty alleviation projects of the national government as a long term instrument and commitment to break the vicious cycle afflicting the poor. It is being implemented by DSWD in partnership with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and selected SUCs nationwide. ###By MARICEL B. ASEJO, Pantawid Information Officer II