College graduates who belong to Pantawid Pamilya program celebrated their success in finishing their tertiary education through the Expanded Student Grant’s-in-aid Program for Poverty Alleviation (ESGP-PA) program being implemented by DSWD and CHED in partnership with State Universities and Colleges (SUCs).
In an event organized by DSWD-NCR yesterday entitled as “Graduation Treat for ESGP-PA Graduates,” 66 students from Philippine Normal University (PNU), Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), Eulogio Amang Rodriguez Institute of Science and Technology(EARIST) and Rizal Technological University (RTU), gathered for this milestone in the program implementation.
Meanwhile, DSWD-NCR Regional Director Vincent Andrew T. Leyson in his welcome remarks challenged the newly graduates to continue in pursuing their dreams and compete to acquire appropriate career in line with their respective courses.
“Your graduation is just the start of your journey… the next thing you should do is to look for the right job for you. Always bear in mind that in applying for any vacant position, the hiring authority should see the value of hiring you… It’s not only what you have finished that counts, but your attitude as well,” Director Leyson emphasized.
The topics discussed during the activity include the career bridging orientation from DOLE-NCR, presentation of scholarship program for Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries from Charity First Foundation Inc. and showcasing of ESGP-PA milestone.
DSWD-NCR also recognized the efforts of the graduates in rightfully maximizing the assistance of the government by finishing their studies, through the awarding of certificates to them.
Recently, ESGP-PA grantees from PNU, PUP, EARIST, RTU, Technological University of the Philippines (TUP), Philippine State College for Aeronautics and Marikina Polytechnic College participated in this year’s general assembly on May 19-20, 2016.
Among the participants is Rudolph Gutierrez, a graduate of BSE Major in Values Education from PNU expressed his deepest gratitude as recipient of ESGP-PA program. 
“Bata pa lamang ay hindi ko na pinangarap na makatuntong ng kolehiyo. Tinanggap ko na hindi kayang suportahan ng aking ama ang aming pag-aaral mula sa maliit na kinikita nito sa pagbobote. Ang tanging hangad ko lang noon ay makatapos ng high school at makakuha ng kahit na anong trabaho basta kumikita ng pera. Namasukan ako sa iba’t ibang establisyemento at kompanya. Naging construction worker, pump boy sa isang gasolinahan at naglinis ng mga malalaking sasakyan at trak. Marami akong sidelines para makatulong sa aking mga magulang at siyam pang mga kapatid.” He emphasized narrated.
ESGP-PA is a program being implemented by DSWD and CHED in partnership with state universities and colleges that provides educational assistance to some beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilya program who are in college.
Under the program, a student-grantee receives a maximum of P60,000 per school year to cover tuition fees, school supplies, food, clothing, lodging and other school related expenses.###