The Student Affairs and Services Office (SASO) of Eastern Visayas State University (EVSU) – Main Campus conducted an Orientation and Monitoring of Scholars for Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) and Tulong Dunong Program (TDP) grantees at the university’s Inner Court on Tuesday, October 27, to familiarize scholars with program guidelines and their responsibilities.
Said activity aimed to ensure that grantees understand the scope, guidelines, and obligations of their respective grants and monitor their compliance, as part of the Commission on Higher Education – Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education’s (CHED-UniFAST) efforts to help students facing financial challenges continue their education.
Furthermore, the orientation was divided into two sessions, with TDP grantees attending in the morning and TES grantees in the afternoon.
In her opening message, Dr. Eliditha Easter Gervacio said TES and TDP were established to ease the financial burden of students struggling to sustain their education amid academic and living expenses.
“Being a college student is not easy. Aside from examinations, assignments, and deadlines, there are also daily expenses. Sometimes the biggest challenge is not passing the examination, but finding the resources to continue studying. That is why we have this program — the TES and TDP — to help you with your studies,” Dr. Gervacio said.
She further reminded the students to treat the financial assistance as an investment in their future, urging them to value the opportunity and remain diligent and persevering in pursuing their goals.
“This is not simply money to spend, this is an opportunity to invest in your future. Make every opportunity count, study diligently, fulfill your responsibilities, and always remember the people who worked hard to grant you this scholarship. This scholarship or grant will help you finish your education, but your determination, your discipline, and most importantly, your perseverance will help you achieve your dreams,” she added.
The orientation proper was led by Ms. Rhea Mae Baillo, representative of CHED-UniFAST, who discussed the two programs, including their scope, guidelines, rules, and grantees’ responsibilities.
Furthermore, Dr. Joshua Salceda of the Student Affairs Office – Finance Services, discussed the financial procedures for the two grants, while Prof. Milbren Bato, head of the Student Scholarship Office, provided reminders regarding scholarship requirements.
Meanwhile, Recmar Lupit, a second-year Bachelor of Secondary Education – Major in Mathematics student and TES grantee, shared his insights on the orientation and how the program has helped him.
“The orientation helped me understand my duties as a scholar. This scholarship eases my worries about school expenses so I can focus better on my studies,” he said.
An open forum was also held, providing students with an opportunity to raise questions and seek clarification from the speakers.
Article by Aldred Superales