A total of 1,028 indigent students from various parts of Ilocos Norte received PHP5,000 each in educational assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Monday at the Ilocos Norte Centennial Arena.

Noah Lordleigh Ibana, focal person for education assistance under the Office of the Governor, said the DSWD program aims to provide financial aid to Filipino students from low-income families. Of more than 5,000 applicants, only 1,028 qualified.

“We enlisted our names under the program last April at the Capitol and finally, our education assistance came just in time for the payment of our tuition fees,” said Ghea Tajodloy, 19, a second-year tourism management student at Northwestern University in Laoag City.

Tajodloy, along with two classmates who also applied for the assistance, said she is grateful to the government for helping students struggling financially with their studies.

Barangay health worker Eliza Unel of Barangay 10, Laoag City, who accompanied her daughter Rutzhelle Czarina to receive her cash assistance, said the amount is a big help for the family.

“Thank you for the educational assistance for my daughter. I hope there will be more programs like this to help families in need,” she said.

Gov. Cecilia Araneta-Marcos thanked DSWD for granting her request and urged student-beneficiaries to pursue their studies and finish a college degree.

“You are the hope of our province. Please continue to keep up the good work because your parents are the happiest when you can avail this kind of program,” she said, adding that the provincial government will continue to support student welfare.

Under the program, student-beneficiaries must submit a valid ID, certificate of indigence, and a certificate of enrollment or registration form. 4Ps beneficiaries are ineligible. (PNA)