“Sometimes it’s a choice between to have lunch or have a book photocopied,” says Churchel Avila of Guihulngan City, one of the 19 students from the Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries in the province that the Department of Social Welfare & Development granted college level scholarship through its Students Grant-Aid Program for Poverty Alleviation.
“We do extra research time at the library because we cannot afford an internet cafe. To others these might be considered a weakness but all these challenges made us better, appreciate books and most of all it leaves us no idle time for self-pity or homesickness,” Avila added during a interview with them as part of the evaluation conducted by DSWD of the scholars.
DSWD Information Officer Aileen Lariba said of the 609 focused municipalities nationwide, 47 come from Central Visayas, 26 of which comes from the province of Cebu, 19 in Negros Oriental and two in Siquijor.
The Commission on Higher Education, state universities and colleges, and DSWD initiated the program that provides the children of Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries the opportunity to enroll in college to break the intergenerational cycle of poverty through education and health.
Lariba said the first state university to take up this challenge was Cebu Normal University that accommodated all 155 scholars into various courses such as Bachelor of Science in Tourism, Special Education and Early Education among others.
DSWD, provided board and lodging to the scholars until such time their allowances are released and they are able to find a boarding house recommended by the school for those who come from the towns, said Lariba.
Dean of Student Affairs of CNU, DSWD with Gwendelina Villarante conducted a year-end assessment of the scholars identifying their strengths and weakness as well as solutions on issues and concerns in preparation for the coming school-year.
This is part of the monitoring and management of each scholar. “It is also a good venue to pick up learning points in the preparation of other state universities such as the Negros Oriental State University in their upcoming acceptance of Pantawid Pamilya scholars,” Lariba said.
Lariba added that tutorials and one-on-one mentoring is also available for the scholar until he/she copes up. The teachers had their share of assistance from their patience, research materials, words of encouragement and most of all in treating them like everyone else.
“This program contributes to the national governments thrust in effectively addressing poverty alleviation by increasing number of graduates in higher education among poor households and to get these graduates employed in high-value added occupations in order to lift their families out of poverty and contribute to national development” said Villarante
The SGP-PA program’s financial support amounts to P60,000 per year covering tuition fee for two semesters, textbooks and other learning materials and the P3,500 monthly stipend for ten months. (PIA)
