BUTUAN CITY– The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-Caraga through the Policy Plans Division (PPD) signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Surigao del Sur State University (SDSSU) on September 23, 2016 held at Dotties Place, Butuan City.

The signing was participated by DSWD Regional Director Minda B. Brigoli and SDSSU President Dr. Baceledes R. Estal who pledged full support and cooperation in the conduct of the research study entitled “Assessment on the Implementation of the Expanded Students Grants-in-Aid Program for Poverty Alleviation (ESGP-PA): Basis for Policy Enhancement” which will be conducted by the SDSSU College of Teacher Education.

ESGP-PA is a college scholarship program for Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program partner-beneficiaries. Under the program, a student-grantee is entitled to a maximum grant of P60,000 per school year or P30,000 per semester for tuition and other school fees, textbooks or other learning materials, and stipend.

The research study to be conducted focuses on the extent of the implementation of the program as well as identifying problems and gains of ESGP-PA which can contribute to the enhancement of the program.

As stipulated in the MOA, DSWD will provide budgetary grants proposed by the proponents for the conduct of the said study amounting to Php320,248.00 which will be funded through the DSWD-DFAT Direct Funding Agreement No. 70507.

Other agreements include DSWD’s provision of technical assistance while the study is on-going and monitoring of the progress as well as fund utilization.

On the other hand, SDSSU is responsible for the proper disposition/disbursement of funds in the course of the research study implementation and for the submission of the complete liquidation report to DSWD not later than October 31 this year. However, the university must refund any unused funds to DSWD or savings generated after the completion of the study.

Furthermore, the result of this study will be presented during the National Research Conference to be held on November this year.

The DSWD initiated the Call for Proposals to the public/private colleges and universities for short-term research. The SDSSU responded the call and submitted its proposal on the given timeline. ###(ABEGAIL R. ALVAREZ/Social Marketing Unit/DSWD Field Office Caraga)