A total of 749 students of the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) received their stipends from the Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) at the University Covered Court last April 27-28.

This was after CHED allowed the higher education institutions to distribute the stipends to the TES grantees for second semester, AY 2019-2020 and additional grantees for AY 2018-2019. 

The TES is a government grants-in-aid program that was made possible through the enactment of Republic Act 10931 or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, a law that institutionalizes free tuition and exemption from other fees in state universities and colleges (SUCs), local universities and colleges (LUCs) in the Philippines.

Under the program, cash assistance amounting to P40,000 per school year is given to financially needy students in both public and private schools, as well as to those studying in municipalities and cities without public universities.

Dr. Elizabeth Marfel F. Gagni, director of MMSU Office of Student Affairs and Services, said the distribution of stipends was done systematically in coordination with the local government units in the province. 

“Each group of grantees from various municipalities in Ilocos Norte were given specific time slots to get their stipends while strictly observing COVID-19 health protocols,” Gagni said. She added that a separate mechanism will be carried out for those residing outside Ilocos Norte. 

The event was also graced by the following officials who delivered their messages to the student-recipients: Dr. Rogelio T. Galera, Jr., CHED regional director; Dr. Danilo B. Bose, OIC chief education program specialist; Ms. Alexis Moira Q. Dolores, UniFAST regional coordinator; and Dr. Shirley C. Agrupis, MMSU president. 

The TES distribution was also facilitated by Prof. Milagros Barruga, chief for institutional student programs and services; Mr. Ericson Agcaoili, UniFAST focal person; Ms. Amelita Pungtilan, chief of cashier’s office; and Ms. Janah Angelu Q. Agulay, TES project technical staff. – Daniel P. Tapaoan, Jr. (StratCom)