A total of 239 students from Albay province received on Tuesday a financial grant under the Student Monetary Assistance for Recovery and Transition (SMART) program of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).
In an interview during the payout at Embarcedero de Legazpi, Jean Cardiño, CHED Bicol chief administrative officer, said each beneficiary received PHP25,000 in one-time assistance, totaling PHP5.97 million.
“The SMART Grant Program is a project of the commission being given a one-time fixed financial grant to qualified students for as long as they are enrolled in an undergraduate program for the school year 2023-2024,” she said.
Cardiño said CHED facilitated the disbursement and validation of the qualified students with funds from the Ako Bicol (AKB) Party-List Representative and House Committee on Appropriations chair, Elizaldy Co.
“The appropriation of this project comes from the funds of different district representatives. Each congressman and party-list gave an allocation, and from there, we disbursed the fund to legitimate and qualified students,” she said.
She said the program is part of the post-pandemic recovery assistance to students.
“This will augment their needs in school; this is a one-time grant, so we asked our grantees to use the PHP25,000 correctly and meaningfully. It may be small for some, but it is a big help for our students and their families,” she added.
Cesar Divinogracia, a Bachelor of Arts in Economics student at Ligao Community College, thanked the government for including him in the list of financial grant beneficiaries.
“Gagamitin ko po ito para sa aking thesis, sa pang araw-araw na gastusin sa pagpasok sa paaralan at para din sa mga kapatid ko (I will use it for my thesis, daily expenses in going to school, and also for my siblings),” the 23-year-old student from the 3rd District of Albay said.
Ria Caña, 23, an incoming 4th year Bachelor of Science in Business Administration student at San Jose Community College in Malinao town, said the assistance is a big help to augment her on-the-job training (OJT) expenses.
“Salamat AKB, salamat Rep. Elizaldy Co. kasi nabigyan ako ng pagkakataon para sa pag-abot ko ng pangarap. Magastos at madami ng dapat bayaran pag 4th year na so itong assistance na ito ay malaking tulong talaga (Thank you AKB, thank you Rep. Elizaldy Co because I was given the opportunity to really achieve my dream. It’s expensive and there’s a lot to pay for in the 4th year, so this assistance is really helpful),” she added.
Mark Jayjan Lumaban, 21, from Daraga, Albay, said the assistance would be used to buy school materials needed for his practice teaching as he is a fourth year student taking up Bachelor of Elementary Education at Daraga Community College.
“Hindi na ito iisipin ng magulang ko since lahat kami nag-aaral, tatlong college at isang senior high school. Hindi na ako makakadagdag sa gastusan nila and makakatulong pa ako sa kanila, kaya salamat po talaga (My parents will not think about this anymore, since we are all studying –three in college and one senior high school. I will not add up anymore to their expenses and can even help so thank you very much),” he added.
In his message during the distribution, Co said education is one of the priority programs of the AKB and the Marcos administration.
“Ang pagbibigay ng tulong sa mga estudyante na mahihirap ay hindi lamang obligasyon kundi responsibilidad ng pamahaalan. Sa pamamagitan ng tulong na ito, binibigyan natin sila ng pagkakataon makapagtapos ng pag-aaral, magkaroong ng sapat na kaalaman at maging handa sa pagharap sa mga hamon ng buhay (Giving help to poor students is not only an obligation but a responsibility of the government. Through this help, we give them the opportunity to finish their studies, have enough knowledge, and be ready to face the challenges of life),” he said.
“When a student has the opportunity to graduate, not only will he benefit but also his family. They will have a great chance to find a job, have a higher income, and have a good life,” Co added in Filipino. (PNA)
