LAGAWE, IFUGAO – – The Tertiary Education Assistance Program (TEAP) of Ifugao instantly grew to an unprecedented level this year, driven by the initiative of Governor Jerry Dalipog to expand the number of recipients.
Now, there are three recipients per barangay. Previously, it was one recipient per village.
Based on TEAP guidelines, a qualified applicant will receive Php 3,500 per semester. For summer, the grant is Php 1,500.
The TEAP is a comprehensive educational program for students from low-income families. Ifugao is one of the poorest provinces in the Philippines.
Governor Dalipog has underscored the need for an expanded TEAP framework in the province to address current gaps in the program including the lack of recipients in the so-called “special economic zones” in Ifugao.
The move is earmarked to support the education sector’s yearning to provide much-needed financial help to poor students, most especially in far-flung, underserved villages. The province has 176 barangays.
“We have prioritized the needs of teachers and students at all levels,” Governor Dalipog said.
“The assistance from the provincial government would enable a student to pursue a better life in the future,” he added.
It is surely a step in the right direction so impoverished youngsters can continue with their education.
Immediately, analysts gave a positive assessment of the move as it means the emergence of young and promising Ifugao students who shall shape the future of Ifugao.
At the just-conducted TEAP meeting at the provincial library, Board Members Clemente Bongtiwon, Caesario Cabbigat and Agustin Calya-en expressed their full support for initiative. Bongtiwon is the chairman of the committee on education, arts, science and technology. Calya-en is the vice chairman. Cabbigat, author of a TEAP-related ordinance, is a member as well as Board Members Joselito Guyguyon and Perfecta Dulnuan. Dulnuan, who attended a speaking engagement at Alfonso Lista town, was represented by Dharmaine Shyne Baguilat, an office staff.
The TEAP Lagawe office disclosed that 27 applicants need to complete the requirements on or before Oct. 15. Those who completed their applications reached 485. The qualifying grade of 75 percent has been set by the program. But a student needs to maintain an average of 80 percent grade to keep on receiving the financial assistance on top of not incurring a failing grade.
What proved to be the biggest lift for the TEAP? Board Member Dulnuan found time to visit a number of barangays at Alfonso Lista and distributed TEAP application forms. She coordinated with barangay council officials to ensure that young villagers get the necessary information. A report showed that only Aguinaldo, Kiangan and Lamut completed filling up the slots assigned to their barangays. Ifugao has 11 towns.
Vice Governor Glenn Prudenciano also supports the TEAP.
The 56-year-old governor stresses that his administration focuses on education. Dalipog- a known pro-education advocate and a civil engineer by profession, said that bringing the government much closer to the people is important. Even national government officials had recognized the need to upgrade the learning infrastructure in the country’s most underdeveloped areas where extreme poverty persists. Essentially, the experience of Governor Dalipog as a “working student“ at the Baguio Colleges Foundation (now the University of the Cordilleras) and University of Baguio molded his passion to help needy students obtain college education.** Anthony A. Araos
