Some sixty-six Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program youth-beneficiaries from the National Capital Region recently earned their college degrees through the Expanded Student Grant’s-in-Aid Program for Poverty Alleviation (ESGP-PA) implemented by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

In recognition of this achievement, the DSWD gathered the 66 new degree holders for a simple celebration where they shared their learnings and experiences.

They graduated from the Philippine Normal University (PNU), Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), Eulogio Amang Rodriguez Institute of Science and Technology (EARIST) and Rizal Technological University (RTU).

DSWD-National Capital Region Director Vincent Andrew Leyson challenged the new graduates to continue to pursue their dreams and build their careers in line with their respective courses.

“Your graduation is just the start of your journey. The next thing you should do is to look for the right job for you. Always bear in mind that in applying for any vacant position, the hiring authority should see the value of hiring you,” Dir. Leyson emphasized.

To help inspire the graduates as they start applying for jobs, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) provided a career bridging orientation.

DSWD also awarded graduates with a certificate of recognition for their determination to finish their college education.

Among the new graduates is Rudolph Gutierrez who finished BSE Major in Values Education from the PNU.

He shared, “Bata pa lamang ay hindi ko na pinangarap na makatuntong ng kolehiyo. Tinanggap ko na hindi kayang suportahan ng aking ama ang aking pag-aaral mula sa maliit na kinikita nito sa pagbobote. Ang tanging hangad ko lang noon ay makatapos ng high school at makakuha ng kahit na anong trabaho basta kumikita ng pera (As a kid, I never dreamt that I would reach college. I have long accepted that my father will not be able to support my education. What I only wanted then was to finish high school and get any job available just to earn).”

Rudolph added that he worked as a construction worker and as a gasoline boy. He also washed cars just to earn and be able to help his parents and nine siblings.

“Marami akong sidelines para makatulong sa aking mga magulang at siyam pang mga kapatid (I took on many side jobs just to be of help to my family),” said Rudolph.

He shared, “Nakuntento na ako sa paglilinis ng trak hanggang sa naging miyembro kami ng Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program at natanggap akong scholar ng ESGP-PA (I was contented in washing trucks until we became Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries and I qualified to become a scholar under the ESGP-PA).”

According to Rudolph, “Akala ko dati ay habang-buhay akong hahawak ng maduming basahan. Akala ko na hanggang doon na lang ang misyon ko sa mundo pero mali ako, mayroon palang gobyerno na handang magmalasakit at tumulong sa mga mahihirap na katulad ko upang maiangat ang pamumuhay (I thought I will forever hold dirty rags as my mission in this world until I realized that there is a government that cares and is willing to help poor people like me).”

With his college degree at hand, Rudolph expressed his deepest gratitude to the government for the chance to be a scholar and finish his education under the ESGP-PA.

“Kung walang Pantawid Pamilya at ESGP-PA, siguro kasama ako ng mga kabataang nangungulo sa kalye at lulong sa droga. Sobrang laki talaga ng pasasalamat ko sa programa dahil binago nito ang aking buhay (Without Pantawid Pamilya and ESGP-PA, I’d probably be one of the wayward youth who got addicted to drugs.  Thus, I am truly grateful for the program for changing my life).”

“The government is gradually reaping the fruits of the investment it made four years ago. Finishing a college degree gives these youth a fighting chance at improving their lives,” DSWD Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman said.

ESGP-PA is a program being implemented by DSWD and CHED in partnership with state universities and colleges. It provides educational assistance to beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilya program who are in college.

Under the program, a student-grantee receives a maximum of P60,000 per school year to cover tuition fees, school supplies, food, clothing, lodging and other school related expenses.

The 66 graduates from NCR are among the 3,139 students nationwide who graduated from college this year. ###