By Chessa Pae Faustino and Niña Christelle Sumintac, STRATCOM Correspondents

A total of 933 students enrolled in different higher education institutions in Ilocos Norte received stipends under the CHED Tulong-Dunong Program at the MMSU Laoag and Batac campuses on December 5. The simultaneous distribution of stipends was facilitated by the offices of Senator Imee Marcos, Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Marcos Manotoc, Congressman Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos (1st District), Congressman Angelo Marcos Barba (2nd District), and the Provincial Education Office.

At the MMSU Batac campus, 857 students received Php 7,500 each for the second semester of the Academic Year 2023-2024. The majority of the recipients were MMSU students, while 55 scholars were from the Data Center College of Laoag, Northern Christian College, and Divine Word College of Laoag. Some parents attended the event to receive the stipends on behalf of their children.

Congressman Barba, who was present, distributed cheques to the students and their parents. He emphasized the importance of supporting education as a cornerstone for community development, stating, “Supporting initiatives like the CHED stipend helps empower students and their families.”

Meanwhile, at the MMSU Laoag campus, 76 students, including 72 from MMSU, were awarded the CHED Tertiary Education Subsidy, amounting to Php 7,500 each. The event was led by Governor Manotoc, with support from Atty. Franklin Respicio and Atty. Saul Lazo.

Governor Manotoc underscored the continued collaboration between the provincial government and local educational institutions, saying, “We are committed to providing our students with the necessary support to continue their education and help them achieve their dreams.”

Both events were part of a broader initiative to alleviate financial burdens for students, particularly those from rural areas. The CHED Tulong-Dunong Program is aimed at undergraduates whose families have an annual income of Php 400,000 or less. This program is designed to help students focus on their studies without the added stress of financial constraints.

The stipend distribution was coordinated by Student Affairs and Services Director Emil James Tanagon, Scholarship and Financial Assistance Chief Jahnese Asuncion, and MMSU CHED Unifast Coordinator Ericson Agcaoili. The event was facilitated in partnership with CHED Region I Student Financial Assistance Programs (StuFAPs), led by Director Christine Ferrer.

Students and their families expressed heartfelt gratitude for the assistance. Stephen, an MMSU student, shared, “I am deeply grateful for the CHED stipend, as it has greatly eased my financial burden and allowed me to focus fully on my studies.”

Luzviminda, a parent of one recipient, added, “Receiving the CHED stipend for my child is a tremendous blessing, easing our financial challenges and giving us hope for a brighter future through their education.”

These efforts highlight the government’s ongoing commitment to ensuring that education remains accessible, empowering students to achieve their goals and contribute to their communities.