When you grew up in a poor community far from school and with limited transportation access, finishing high school is already a big deal but this is not enough for Gresil Alberto-Tampus who will graduate with honors at Cebu Normal University (CNU) with a degree in Elementary Education Major in Special Education this March 30, 2016.

Gresil comes from barangay Buto, Jimalalud, Negros Oriental and is among the first batch of Student Grand in-Aid Program for Poverty Alleviation (SGPPA) graduates.

SGPPA is implemented by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Department of Budget and Management, Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

It is among the long-term instruments and commitments of the government to break the vicious cycle of poverty in the country afflicting the poor but deserving Filipino youth and their families.

“I had always wanted to enroll in college and finish it so that I can look for a job that is well-paid,” said Gresil who previously worked as a house help and a fast food crew.

Gresil, 23, was delayed in college for two years because her farmer-parents cannot afford to send her in a university given the family’s low financial status.

She has five siblings and her parent’s income is only enough for their food consumption.

Eager to enroll in college Gresil did everything she could to pursue her goal. She worked as a house help for a family who promised her college education and then apply for a part-time job.

“I can’t imagine how I abused myself during those times,” Gresil emotionally recalled.

She added that it was the toughest moment of her young life but it didn’t stop her from continuing her studies. Although, there were instances that she felt like giving up.

Then sometime in 2012, she received a call from her mother Leny telling her that she will be an SGPPA student grantee.

SGPPA educational grants are given to those Pantawid Pamilya partner-beneficiaries to sustain the gains of the program by providing free access to college education. More than 2,000 students are currently benefiting the program in Central Visayas. And 194 of them are expected to graduate this year.

Gresil’s family is a Pantawid Pamilya grantee. Three of her siblings are currently actively monitored by the country’s conditional cash transfer.

“At first, I was in doubt because it was too good to be true. I didn’t imagine that the time will come where I can go to school without working so hard,” she said.

SGPPA student-grantee are entitled of Php 60,000.00 maximum grant per year or Php 30,000.00 per semester. The grant is intended to cover the costs for tuition and other school fees, academic and extracurricular expenses, purchase of textbooks, board and lodging, transportation, clothing, admission/entrance fees, health and other valid related education expenses and support services to complete the degree program.

Upon her enrollment in SGPPA, Gresil transferred from University of Cebu to CNU, her dream school.

“It was a dream come true for me, studying in CNU for free,” she cited.

A consistent honor student since elementary, Gresil doubled her efforts in studying to get a college degree and eventually graduating as Cum Laude.

“I’m offering this achievement to the taxpayers, I am a product of your generosity and to the government agencies that made this program a continuing success. I am forever grateful. I hope more will benefit from this,” she cited.

Gresil married her true love Ronald last year and is a mother to a 10-month old bouncing baby boy named Rence Greynard. ###

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