The Albay Provincial Education Department (PED) is extending educational assistance to indigent students for this school year.

PED chief Roman Chambaerlane Zuñiga, in an interview on Wednesday, said the provincial government of Albay has allocated PHP6.5 million for educational assistance to indigent students in elementary, secondary and college levels, both from the public and private schools in the province.

He said his office is targeting at least 3,250 program beneficiaries who would receive PHP2,000 each.

“PED is requiring the applicants to submit their certificates of indigency, records from their schools as proof that they are currently enrolled, and documents to prove that they are residing in Albay,” Zuñiga said.

Ivan Christian Natuel, a third-year Bachelor of Science in Civil Technology student at Bicol University (BU), in a separate interview, said he is very thankful to the provincial government for the financial assistance that could be used for transportation fares and other educational expenses of the students.

Natuel said he is preparing to submit all the requirements to the PED office.

Nelia Brimon, 57, mother of a college student at Daraga Community College, said she will apply for the assistance since it will help her to finance her daughter’s daily expenses.

“As a parent, this is a big help, it’s difficult to find money nowadays, and with this assistance, my daughter can buy materials for her school project. Thank you for the initiatives to help us,” Brimon said.

In the Bicol Region which includes Albay, almost 3,300 students indigent students have earlier received financial assistance, this time from the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Each pupil in the elementary level received PHP1,000; those in junior high school, PHP2,000; senior high school, PHP3,000; and PHP4,000 for those in college/vocational school. (PNA)