At least 2,150 college students from Siargao Island in Surigao del Norte received educational assistance in two-day payout activities held from Feb. 29 to March 1.

Each of the students received PHP4,000 cash aid through the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Around PHP8.6 million in financial assistance were released to the students during the separate distribution activities which were led by Surigao del Norte 1st District Rep. Francisco Jose Matugas II.

“The funding was released through the approval of House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez,” Matugas said in a statement Friday.

Of the total number of students, 992 from the Surigao del Norte State University (SNSU) – Del Carmen Campus in Del Carmen town, and another 840 from Siargao Island Institute of Technology in Dapa town received their aid on Friday.

On Thursday, 318 college students from the Bucas Grande Foundation College in Socorro town were also provided with the same financial aid.

Matugas said the provision of financial aid to students will continue not only in Siargao Island but also in other colleges in mainland Surigao del Norte. (PNA)