TANDAG CITY – Eighty-three (83) scholars of the Expanded Student Grants-In-Aid Program for Poverty Alleviation (ESGP-PA) were given their diplomas after finishing their courses in the recently concluded ESGP-PS Parangal 2019 held at the Prospero B. Pichay Sr., Gymnasium at the Surigao del Sur State University, Tandag City campus last April 26, 2019.
The ESGP-PA is an extension of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) which provides educational grants to Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries who would want to send their college children to school.
For
this year’s Parangal, several
students have performed excellently, with 1 student graduating Magna Cum Laude.
Vicselyn O. Bale (BSEd Physical Science) gave a heartwarming message of
gratitude to the body as she thanked the program for giving her an opportunity
to graduate amidst the hardships she had in life.
“Our family is one of the beneficiaries of the 4Ps and ESGP-PA and the free tuition
program of the government. Because of these programs, we were able to survive
from the claws of poverty. Our heartfelt gratitude to all the people behind
these programs,” Bale said.
Aside from Bale, there were also seven (7) Academic Awardees, two (2) leadership Awardees, and four (4) Athlete-of-the-Year Awardees. A good indication that the 2019 ESGP-PA batch was great mix of achievers.
DSWD FO Caraga Promotive Services Division Chief Jean Paul S. Parajes delivered the keynote message on behalf of DSWD OIC-Regional Director Mita Chuchi Gupana-Lim. In his message, he posted a challenge to the graduates to be better citizens.
“Now that you have graduated, a much bigger challenge now lies ahead. The biggest question you need to address now is, what path would you be embarking on as professionals. Remember, the government invested on you because the government believes that you will be able to do great things for the country. The government is relying on you to be the difference for your generation and the generations to come,” Parajes said.
Through the ESGP-PA program, students are entitled Php60,000 as grant per year or Php30,000 per semester to cover tuition and fees, purchase of textbooks, board and lodging, transportation, clothing/uniform, admission and entrance fees, and other support services.
The program is being implemented in partnership with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Department of Budget and Management, Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC), Department of Labor and Employment, and DSWD. ###(MARKO DAVEY D. REYES/JOANA RICA P. MILLAMA/Social Marketing Section/DSWD Field Office Caraga)
