SGPPA scholars in Davao Oriental.

 MATI, Davao Oriental –Commission on Higher Education Chairperson, Dr. Patricia Licuanan visited Davao Oriental State College of Science and Technology (DOSCST) in Mati City, Davao Oriental Thursday to award scholarship grants to 54 Typhoon Pablo Victims and to meet the 254 scholars of the Students’ Grant-in-Aid Program for Poverty Alleviation (SGPPA).

“Education is important to improve our quality of life, our families and our community. I believe that with this opportunity to achieve your dreams, you will serve as an inspiration to others and be an instrument of change,” said Chair Licuanan.

The scholarship grants for Pablo Victims were awarded to the St. Mary’s College of Baganga which is the identified institution to cater the scholars. Chair Licuanan together with Davao Oriental Governor Corazon N. Malanyaon, Mati City Mayor Carlo Rabat and DSWD Pantawid Pamilya Regional Program Coordinator Araceli M. Layog presented the award.

The Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) spearhead the SGPPA to ensure that grantees are enrolled in selected SUCs duly recognized by CHED, channelled to CHED priority courses, and extended the needed support that will guarantee completion of studies thus qualify them for a high-value added jobs in the future. Also, the SGPPA aims to contribute in the increase of the number of enrolment in higher education in line with the national government’s priority degree programs among poor households and support college graduates’ entry to labor markets through placement assistance.

Implemented since 2012, SGPPA was conceived to benefit qualified Pantawid Pamilya grantees all over the country.

A student-grantee receives a maximum of P 60,000.00 scholarship grant per school year, which is broken down to P20, 000/year Tuition Fee Cost, P 5,000/year Textbook Fees and other learning materials, and P 35,000 (that is, P 3,500/month x 10 months) Stipend (for board and lodging, transportation, clothing, health/medical needs, basic school supplies and other related costs).

At present, Davao Region caters to 622 SGPPA scholars enrolled in four state colleges/universities in the region: University of Southeastern Philippines (USEP), Southern Philippines Agri-business, Marine and Aquatic School of Technology (SPAMAST), Davao del Norte State College, and Davao Oriental State College of Science and Technology (DOSCST).

Pantawid Pamilya is a program that invests in human capital that is contributory to poverty-reduction. The program provides cash grants of at most P 1,400.00 for a family that has three children, ages 0 to 14, enrolled in the program. The family will be able to claim their grants if they comply to set health and education conditions strictly required by the program. As of May 2012, Pantawid Pamilya has a total of 188,000 registered household beneficiaries in 6 cities and 44 municipalities in all 4 provinces of Davao Region. DSWD