155 Pantawid Pamilya scholars, 310 mothers and fathers, personnel from the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Commission on Higher EDucation and Cebu Normal University sums up to almost 500 people buzzing with excitement for the day’s MOA Signing between the parents of the Pantawid Pamilya SGP-PA scholars and Cebu Normal University.
Students Grant-Aid Program for Poverty Alleviation is a pilot program initiated by the Commission on Higher Education, State Universities and Colleges and the Department of Social Welfare and Development for its Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program beneficiaries as its recipients.
Of the 609 focus municipalities nationwide, 47 come from Central Visayas, 26 of which comes from the Province of Cebu, 19 in Negros Oriental and 2 in Siquijor.
“Cebu Normal University cannot refuse to accept the SGP-PA scholars / student grantees because we are not just simply a government institution but rather we are partners in nation building and this is a national program for nation building” said Dr. Marcelo T. Lopez, CNU President on his welcome message during the Orientation and MOA Signing between the parents of the SGP-PA scholars and CNU.
Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program whose long term goal includes breaking intergenerational cycle of poverty through health and education welcomes the partnership of CHED and SUCs in giving the children of Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries the opportunity to finish a degree course such as the like of Bachelor of Science in Tourism, Bachelor of Science in Special Education and Early Education are just some of the courses offered for this program.
155 parents were proud to sign the Memorandum of Agreement with Cebu Normal University President Dr. Marcelo T. Lopez with CHED Assistant Regional Director Dr. Candelario Dooy and in behalf of DSWD Regional Director Ma. Evelyn B. Macapobre is Division Chief, Grace Subong as witnesses.
Dean of Student Affairs, Gwedelina A. Villarante during her orientation on SGP-PA and the roles of both parents and students in making this pilot program their success.
The Memorandum of Agreement stated the roles of the parents which requires full moral support and that of the students which includes a full load per semester as prescribed in the curriculum and finish within the required period of the program and maintain a satisfactory academic performance in accordance with the policies and standards of CNU.
The scholars are also required to render a return of service for two years after graduation in the Philippines except for highly critical courses demanded by local industry and government services; and adhere to the terms and conditions as stipulated in the Contract.
As the first step of ensuring the parents are equipped to handle the responsibilities they just signed, financial literacy which focused on budgeting was taken up during the day and strengthening family relationship which was discussed by the National Chaplaincy of the Philippines (NACPHIL), DSWD’s CSO partner which.
The program’s financial support amounts to P60T/year covering tuition fee for two semesters, textbook/other learning materials and the P3,500/monthly stipend for ten months.
As emphasis on the student and parents roles were discussed, the responsibilities of CNU was also taken up and these includes receiving the financial benefits from the CHED for disbursement to the beneficiaries based on their entitlements under this program, process and release the financial benefits to the Student-Beneficiary;
Other responsibilities also includes providing appropriate accommodation such as dormitories or accredited boarding houses, organize and/or enhance values formation, career guidance programs to beneficiaries, their families or parents and provide services of the guidance counselors as needed;
Aside from the above the University is to maintain a separate book of account, facilitate the timely monthly release of financial benefits to the grantees and taking into consideration that the scholars comes from different backgrounds, CNU is to institute remedial/mentoring program to cater to the special needs of the grantee. Most of all with the government’s call for transparency on all its programs, the school are to submit status and liquidation reports to CHED.
The momentous event closed with a message from DSWD’s Assistant Regional Director, Nemia Antipala saying “this is an opportunity of a lifetime, not all are given the chance to finish school. Meaning to say, because you are part of the Pantawid Pamilya program you are given this opportunity which would come only once.”
As her parting words, Ms. Antipala said “without education, we are losing a lot of opportunity”. (PR-Lariba)
