LINGAYEN, Pangasinan – Sen. Imee Marcos visited the Pangasinan State University here and distributed financial assistance to 2,000 students from nine campuses in this province under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis (AICS) program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development on Thursday, December 7.
Marcos was welcomed at the PSU covered court by school officials led by president Dr. Elbert M. Galas, former president Dr. Dexter R. Buted, faculty regent Ace Liwanag, university directors, campus officials, and students.
SEN. Imee Marcos poses with students during a visit to the Pangasinan State University in Lingayen on December 7. (Liezle Basa-Inigo)
She thanked them for a warm welcome and added she is very happy to be in the university.
Marcos said the PSU is the realization of the dream of her father, President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr., to put up a state university in provinces like Pangasinan.
She noted that these universities support the simple dream of every Filipino family to have their children graduate from college.
“Lagi naming sinasabi sa gobyerno na libre ang edukasyon, na walang bayad, walang tuition, pero ang totoo, napakaraming gastusin pa rin maliban sa tuition. Mag-umpisa tayo sa pamasahe, ang ating mga gadgets at Wi-Fi pataas ng pataas din, may uniform, may pagkain, may dorm, at kung ano-ano pa kaya sa bandang huli hindi naman talaga libre ang edukasyon,” Imee said.
"Ang bawat pamilya, ang mga magulang natin naghahanap pa rin kung saan makakahanap at makakabuo ng pera pangtustos ng kailangan ng anak. Sana makatulong ang ibibigay nating cash assistance ngayon,” she added.
Marcos distributed P5,000 cash to each beneficiary. A DSWD team led by Social Welfare Officer Emil Cabudoy supervised the distribution.
Beneficiaries thanked the senator for the assistance. Galas and Buted also thanked Marcos for her support to education.
Engineer Rosendo So, Sinag chairman, and provincial and municipal officials participated in a short program at the covered court during the event.