Students of the Bacolod City College (BCC) who are grantees of the Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) have received a total of PHP9.34-million financial assistance from the national government.
As of Sept. 16, 119 scholar-grantees have received PHP20,000 each for a total of PHP2.38 million for the first semester of the school year 2020-2021, aside from free tuition and other benefits.
Some 174 other grantees were earlier given PHP40,000 each for two semesters covering the school year 2019-2020, amounting to PHP6.96 million.
In a statement on Thursday, Mayor Evelio Leonardia encouraged the student-grantees to spend their money wisely, mainly for their essential educational needs, and not waste it on “vices”.
“Use your TES correctly, rightly, judiciously and wisely. Not all students will get the same benefits. To those much is given, much is also expected. So do not waste it for gambling,” he added.
Dr. Johanna Ann Rabago-Bayoneta, BCC administrator, said the recent 119 student-grantees included 60 from Bacolod while the rest are from various cities and towns of Negros Occidental.
Jay Louies Villanueva, 24, a senior information technology student, who works as a construction assistant in his spare time, said he will use a portion of his TES for the payment of his yearbook dues and graduation fee.
“I am thankful for the assistance given by the government. I will save some for my allowance. Now, I can also give some of the amount to my parents,” Villanueva, a resident of Barangay 27, said.
Riza Mae Bayatas, 24, an office administration senior, said she purchased essential tools and gadgets for her online classes.
“I bought a laptop when I got my TES lump sum in May. This time, I will get a new one to ensure my connectivity. I will also give money to my parents,” said the student from the adjacent Murcia town.
The TES, provided for under Republic Act 10931 or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education, is a grant-in-aid program of the government being implemented by the Commission on Higher Education and the Unified Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education or UniFAST. (PNA)
