The Tulong-Dunong Program (TDP) of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) distributed financial aid to the 288 Batch 1 grantees of Don Honoria Ventura State University (DHVSU) in an event held at the University Auditorium on August 8.

Present at the event were OIC-Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary (UNIFAST) Education Executive Director Atty. Ryan Estevez, Dr. Enrique Baking, DHVSU President; Dr. Dolores T. Quiambao, Vice President for Student Affairs and Services; Hon. Alyssa Michaela Gonzales, board member of the third district of Pampanga; Ms. Lora L. Yusi, OIC-Office of the Director of CHED Region 3; and Mr. William L. Beltran, Regional Director of the Philippine Information Agency – Region 3.

“Ang pakiusap namin sa ating mga estudyante ay mag-aral ng mabuti. Hindi niyo kailangan magbalik ng anything, ang kailangan lang naming sa inyo ay makapagtapos ng pag-aaral and prove to the world that this very good program of the government is really worth-taking the risk,” said Atty. Estevez in his message.

He emphasized that providing free higher education is a risk, as the budget allocated for this purpose could be allocated to other government programs instead of offering free tuition to the student- beneficiaries.

Our hearts are filled with delight, appreciation, and gratitude for the inspiring leaders that we currently have. They are leaders with a heart to serve the higher education sector without losing sight of every underprivileged and marginalized yet deserving student, to fulfill collective dreams and become proactive contributors in nation-building," Dr. Baking stated in his welcome remarks.

Words and photos by Samantha Batalla | DHVSU Public Information Office