EDUCATION SUPPORT. Some of the 1,551 students from Ilocos Norte who received the PHP5,000 education aid from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Thursday (March 7, 2024). The beneficiaries are verified children of farmers and fishermen whose livelihood was affected by Typhoon Egay and other calamities in 2023. (Photo by Leilanie Adriano)
LAOAG CITY – A total of 1,551 students from Ilocos Norte towns affected by Typhoon Egay and other calamities in 2023 received from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) PHP5,000 cash aid each on Thursday.
The distribution of aid under the Makabasa Latta (Continued Schooling) program was held at the Ilocos Norte National High School and was attended by beneficiaries from the towns of Adams, Carasi, Dumalneg, Pasuquin, Banna, Bangui, Pagudpud, Piddig, Burgos, and Marcos.
Senator Imee Marcos, present during the event, said the aid distribution will continue since around PHP50 million has been set aside for the program.
"So far, we have distributed to 6,000 beneficiaries under this micro-scholarship program and this will continue as we still have remaining PHP11.5 million. We just download and distribute to eligible beneficiaries the soonest,” she said.
Initially, a one-time PHP15,000 education support per beneficiary has been allotted for at least 2,000 college or incoming college students who must be certified dependent of a farmer or fisherman affected by Egay.
However, over 15,000 students applied for the special education assistance that was announced over the radio and on various social media platforms of the local government units, prompting Senator Marco’s office to request additional funding.
“I am thankful for being one of the lucky recipients of the Makabasa Latta (Continued Schooling) education support program of Senator Imee Marcos. It means a lot to my parents since they can save for my daily school allowance,” said Renalyn Godinez, a student of the College of Teacher Education of the Mariano Marcos State University and resident of Burgos town. (PNA)
