The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), in partnership with the Provincial Government of Camarines Sur, awarded educational assistance amounting Php5,000 each to student-beneficiaries of Rinconada on July 11, 2022 at the Iriga Sports Center, Iriga City.
“Receiving this educational assistance is very important and a huge help, most especially to all working students and the underprivileged youth without enough money to support their studies,” commented Sheena Magistrado, a 23-year-old student from Sta. Cruz Sur, Iriga City.
Magistrado is an incoming 4th year nursing student of Camarines Sur Polytechnic College in Nabua. She shared, not only the academic struggles that she has to go through with the demands of her degree, but also the many fees she needed to pay. From their tuition and miscellaneous fees to their projects and uniforms, it was a real financial struggle that is why she was thankful for the initiative of the government to provide students like her with support and assistance.
“I am so grateful that I was given the chance to be among the many beneficiaries of this program. I will make sure to use the assistance I received to support my studies,” shared Magistrado. She shared that she will use the Php5,000 worth of educational assistance to pay for her Related Learning Experience (RLE) fee, a requirement in her degree. She also vowed to give the remaining amount to her mother.
As a committed student, when Magistrado heard of the educational assistance program of DSWD and the province, she was beyond happy, not only for herself, but also for the other students and youth in their community that were fortunate enough to be among the many recipients of the assistance.
The educational assistance awarded by the Provincial Government and DSWD is under the agency’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program, a protective service for the poor, marginalized, vulnerable or disadvantaged individuals.
Another recipient of the educational assistance is Rose Pearly Nanteza, an Education student in Baao Community College (BCC). Ever since her mother passed away, Nanteza’s family relied solely on her father’s farming. According to her, many were the times when they got short with money. That is why she was excited and happy after having been chosen as one of the beneficiaries of the program.
“It’s really important for me to receive this assistance because I don’t want to burden my father so much. Thank you very much to the Provincial Government and DSWD for helping me and my fellow students and for giving us the opportunity to pursue our studies,” said Nantez.
As a student of BCC, one of the provincially-managed colleges of the province, Nantez knew of the programs of the Provincial Government when it comes to education. Though their tuition fee is free, she still struggles for her everyday expenses, such as transportation, load allowance, and the many requirements her degree entails. With the educational assistance, she is able to provide for herself instead of asking for it from her father. She also plans on giving some of the amount to help her siblings and father.
The Provincial Government of Camarines Sur has always given priority to education. Now, under the new leadership of Governor Luigi Villafuerte, who believes that education is the greatest equalizer in life, the Provincial Government seeks to further the support in education sector. Existing education programs such as scholarship and financial assistance shall continue and expand, while new programs and commitments such as the Free Wi-Fi, where many students will benefit from, and the expansion of the Governor Mariano Villafuerte Community Colleges (GMVCC) to more municipalities are to come.
