The Office of the Senator Imee R. Marcos in collaboration with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) led by Mr. Eric P. Aborot, DSWD – Social Welfare and Development (SWAD) Team Leader, launched and now released the Educational Assistance for students of Palawan State University (PSU) under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) Program at the PSU Gymnasium yesterday, October 18.
The activity commenced with the opening remarks given by Prof. Vincent B. Esguerra, University Sports Director and Officer-In-Charge, Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs and Services (VPSAS), followed by the Inspirational message delivered by Dr. Amabel S. Liao, Vice President for Finance and Administration (VPFA) and the Officer-In-Charge, Office of the University President (OUP).
Dr. Liao emphasized how blessed the students are for being able to be part of and receive such grant, knowing that other individuals could not even go to college because they couldn’t afford how expensive studying in college is. She also stated that sending a family member in college can be financially challenging to the family due to the financial needs it comprises, yet the students are here (in the university) because their families are striving to provide for them. And the only thing they could give in return is to ensure that they finish their study. On the other hand, some students strive to survive studying despite the hardships because they aspire to help and elevate their families’ financial situation and lives, VP Liao added.
Meanwhile, Dr. Rosanna P. Colendra, Director for Admission, Testing, and Evaluation and the Officer-In-Charge of the Institutional Student Program and Services introduced the guest speaker of the Program. Hon. Ma. Nancy M. Socrates, Puerto Princesa City Vice Mayor delivered the guest speaker’s message on behalf of Senator Imee R. Marcos. Hon. Socrates reiterated that with the blessings we receive, we should ‘Pay it forward’, as one of the key points of the senator.
The DSWD through the AICS Program has given five thousand pesos (PHP 5,000.00) cash Educational Assistance to the two thousand (2,000) students of the university. The release and distribution has also been simultaneously happening in PSU Española, PSU Brooke’s Point, and PSU Bataraza yesterday morning while it was successfully done in PSU Araceli, PSU Dumaran, and PSU Balabac.
AICS Program is one of the social welfare services of the DSWD that provides medical assistance, burial, transportation, education, food, or financial assistance for other support services or needs of a person or family. In support to this, Mr. Ralph Kenneth H. Padam, a second year Petroleum Engineering Student of PSU and one of the qualified beneficiaries attested that the said assistance will be immensely beneficial to his study. “Magagamit ko po sya [cash assistance] sa mga bibilhin kong gamit like ‘yong books, or idadagdag ko po sana sa laptop para makabili po, or bagong CPU kasi nasira po yung ginagamit ko ngayon, kasi po sa engineering kailangan po talaga ng mga gamit kasi po mahirap ”, Padam said.
