About 364 students from the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) under the Expanded Students Grants-in-Aid Program for Poverty Alleviation (ESGP-PA) completed their tertiary education for school year 2018-2019.
The ESGP-PA is implemented by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) together with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and State Universities and Colleges (SUCs).
The program provided opportunities to 4Ps households who have children who are determined to pursue college education and qualified for the scholarship. A college degree for the children-beneficiaries opens an opportunity for them to access better employment and help them improve their lives.
These students graduated from the five partner SUCs in region 7. These are Siquijor State College (SSC) with 75 graduates, Negros Oriental State University (NORSU) with 154 graduates, Cebu Technological University (CTU) with 111 graduates, Cebu Normal University (CNU) has 3 graduates and Bohol Island State University (BISU) with 21 graduates.
One of the ESGP-PA graduates is Melchie F. Ejera from Consolacion, Cebu who finished Bachelor of Elementary Education major in Early Childhood Education at the Cebu Technological University (CTU) – Main Campus.
“I grew up in a situation where poverty for me is normal, to the point that we used to have different addresses because we did not have permanent house at all. My father is a factory worker and his salary is not enough for our daily needs. I see how my parents work hard to support our needs especially in our education,” said Melchie.
Year 2013, Melchie’s family became one of the partner-beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).
“This government program is an answer to our prayers. Through the 4Ps we were able to pay for our school expenses and bought some delicious food that we have never tasted before,” she added.
“When I was in my first year and second year college, there was never a time that I have not shed tears every school enrolment. My father did not have a regular work at that time. That’s why my parents need to borrow money from their friends just to pay for my tuition fee,” revealed Melchie
“There were times that I wanted to quit but every time I saw the eyes of my parents how they wanted me to pursue my dreams, it also gave me encouragement not to lose hope,” she said
Melchie became an ESGP-PA when she was in her third year college.
“What I have been through is something that I cannot shrug off and forget about. I am thankful that I have experienced all of the hardships because it motivated me to work and pray hard,” said Melchie.
“I would like to express my deepest gratitude to all the people who helped me out through this journey, to the government, to the DSWD through the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program and to the ESGP-PA family. Indeed, God used all of you as instruments to help me pursue my dreams,” the Cum Laude graduate said.
ESGP-PA scholars are now transitioned to the Unified Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education Act or UniFAST which implements the Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES). ###
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