CHRONICLES | ๐๐๐ ๐ก๐จ๐ฌ๐ญ๐ฌ ๐๐ซ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ๐ซ๐ข๐๐ฎ๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐๐ญ๐. ๐๐ ๐ง๐๐๐ข๐, ๐๐ ๐ฌ๐๐ก๐จ๐ฅ๐๐ซ๐ฌ
A total of 153 students from the Municipality of Sta. Ignacia and 34 Indigenous Peoples (IP) students received financial assistance worth โฑ7,500 each through the Commission on Higher Educationโs (CHEd) Tulong Dunong Program (TDP), during a cash distribution ceremony held at the Tarlac Agricultural University (TAU) Student and Alumni Center Amphitheater on 27 March.
According to Mr. Jessie E. Dela Cruz, Assistant Director of TAU - Office of Student Services and Development (OSSD) and Chair of OSSD - Financial and Educational Assistance Services, the event is sponsored by the Office of Senator Christopher Lawrence โBongโ Go, CHEd and the local government unit (LGU) for Sta. Ignacia residents, and CHEd for the IP.
Mr. Dela Cruz also shared that the current batch is composed of 170 scholars from TAU and 17 others enrolled in private higher education institutions (HEIs) across Tarlac Province.
TDP, one of CHEdโs flagship scholarship initiatives, aims to support underprivileged yet qualified Filipino students pursuing CHED-recognized programs with a valid Certificate of Program Compliance (COPC).
๐๐จ๐ง๐ฏ๐๐ฒ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ข๐ฌ๐ก๐๐ฌ ๐จ๐ ๐๐จ๐ฉ๐, ๐๐ซ๐๐ญ๐ข๐ญ๐ฎ๐๐, ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ง๐ฌ๐ฉ๐ข๐ซ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง
During his opening remarks, Dr. Danilo N. Oficiar, Director of TAU-OSSD, compared the governmentโs educational aid to Bette Midlerโs classic song โWind Beneath My Wings.โ He emphasized that students need only โspread their wingsโ by prioritizing their education, while the government grant serves as the โwindโ supporting their educational journey.
Sta. Ignacia Councilor Freddie DC. Bagay, representing Mayor Nora T. Modomo, echoed this sentiment as he urged students to avoid spending their allowances on vices or non-essentials and assured them of LGUโs unwavering support.
In his inspirational message, TAU President Dr. Silverio Ramon DC. Salunson highlighted the scholarsโ dual role as both beneficiaries and architects of their futures, entrusted with advancing the nationโs aspirations. He reminded them that each academic achievement and hurdle overcome would contribute not only to their familiesโ well-being but also to societal progress. โLet the sacrifices of your loved ones and the trust placed in you by Filipino taxpayers fuel your determination,โ he stressed. โTogether, let us prove that education transcends barriersโtransforming lives, uplifting communities, and building a Philippines where no dream is beyond reach.โ
Meanwhile, Ms. Pia Cuyugan-Talavera, Mr. Leo Palo III, and Ms. Paula Bermudez, representatives from Sen. Bong Goโs office, underscored the role of education in poverty alleviation and national development. Ms. Talavera also announced the expanded scholarship opportunities for Santa Ignaciaโs youth. Mr. Palo urged grantees to honor taxpayersโ contributions by excelling in their studies while Ms. Bermudez talked about the role of mental health in fostering academic resilience and holistic development.
#SmartTAU #GreenandGlobal #TDP #CHEd #StaIgnacia #SDG4 #SDG10 #SDG16 #SDG17
Article and Photos | Information Unit