BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya (PIA) -- The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has released more than P2 million financial assistance to 99 indigenous people in Nueva Vizcaya.
The beneficiaries are enrolled in different universities and colleges in the province. Each of them received P25,000 as one-time scholarship assistance under the CHED’s Student Monetary Assistance for Recovery and Transition (SMART) program.
Kevin Relojo, 21 of Bayombong town and a student of the Ifugao State University, said the assistance will be a big help for his studies and needed academic requirements.
“This will augment my expenses for my uniform as I am now about to go on internship for my Criminology degree,” he said.
Joven Jacinto, CHED SMART Program focal person for Cagayan Valley, said the financial assistance was given to the tertiary students who were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This assistance is given to IP students to enable them to recover from the pandemic. Most of the beneficiaries came from state colleges and universities of Nueva Vizcaya,” he said.
The Indigenous Peoples college students in Nueva Vizcaya receive financial grants from the Commission on Higher Education through the rollout of the Student Monetary Assistance for Recovery and Transition Program. (PIA Image)
Jacinto said the beneficiaries came from the Nueva Vizcaya State University campuses, Sta. Mary’s University, Kings College of the Philippines, PLT College, and Aldersgate College.
He said a similar payout activity was also conducted for 73 scholars in Cauayan City, Isabela, and in several districts in Cagayan province.
The SMART Grant program aims to provide a one-time fixed financial grant to qualified students enrolled in any undergraduate program for the academic year 2023-2024 only.
The program is one of the strategies under the National Employment Recovery Strategy of the government, which is gaining success in the country. (OTB/BME/PIA NVizcaya)
