Speaker Martin Romualdez leads the distribution of financial aid and scholarship to 4,000 Zambales students on Jan. 27 under the Integrated Scholarships and Incentives Program (ISIP) in Olongapo City. (Speaker’s office)

House Speaker Martin Romualdez continues to take to heart President Marcos' directive of giving deserving students a chance at quality education. 

On Saturday, Jan. 27, the Office of the Speaker--in partmership with other government department--launched the Integrated Scholarships and Incentives Program (ISIP) at the SMX Convention Center in Olongapo City, Zambales.  

Before the day was over, some 4,000 local students received "ayuda" in the form of financial aid and scholarships. 

“We are rolling out this program to give life to President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos, Jr.’s directive to help qualified Filipino students who are financially incapable of paying for quality education," Romualdez said in his keynote speech at the event. 

"Inilunsad natin ito sa Iloilo noong nakaraang taon, at dito naman sa Zambales ang ating tututukan,” noted the leader of the 300-plus strong House of Representatives. 

(We launched this last year in Iloilo, and now we're focusing on Zambales.) 

ISIP aims to aid disadvantaged students and is part of the Marcos administration’s commitment to help the education sector. 

The program targets tertiary and vocational students who will receive financial assistance every six months through the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). The cash aid will cover tuition and other expenses. 

Each of the 4,000 students will receive P2,000 in financial assistance from the DSWD. Identified student beneficiaries will be enrolled under the Commission on Higher Education's (CHEd) Tulong Dunong Program (TDP), where students can get scholarship assistance of up to P15,000 per year. 

The program was undertaken in collaboration with Zambales 1st district Rep. Jefferson Khonghun. 

“We do this so our children can reach for their dreams, graduate and become productive members of our communities, more than capable of contributing to nation-building. Ito ang hangarin ng ating Pangulo, at ito rin ang aming pangarap para sa ating mga kabataan,” Romualdez said. 

(This is what the President wants, and this is our dream for the youth.)