House Speaker Martin Romualdez (center) distributing financial assistance to students at the West Visayas State University Medical Center Cultural Center (Speaker's Office)

House Speaker Martin Romualdez led the distribution of cash assistance in the Panay provinces of Iloilo, Aklan, Antique, Capiz, and Guimaras to help struggling students overcome financial challenges in pursuing quality education.

Under Romualdez’s pet initiative, the Integrated Scholarships and Incentives Program (ISIP) for the Youth, a total of 1,500 students received aid at the West Visayas State University Medical Center Cultural Center.

“Ang pag-aaral po, maging college man o vocational, ang isa sa pinakamabisang sandata na maaari nating ibigay sa ating mga kabataan na magagamit nila sa pagharap nila sa hamon ng buhay,” said Romualdez. 

(Education, be it in college or vocational, is one of the most powerful weapons we can give to the youth that they can use to face the challenges of life.)

“Bilang isang ama at isa ring negosyante, naniniwala po tayo na ang edukasyon ang ating susi sa tagumpay,” he added.

(As a father and also a businessman, I believe that education is our key to success.)

Each of the 1,500 beneficiaries received P2,000 in cash aid through the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). 

The students, coming from 32 educational institutions, will also be enrolled under the Commission on Higher Education’s (CHED) Tulong Dunong Program (TDP) where they can get an annual scholarship assistance amounting to a total of P15,000 or P7,500 every semester.

The Speaker encouraged the beneficiaries to take full advantage of the program. He says that education is the “great equalizer”.

“Ang tanging hiling lang ng pamahalaan sa inyo, lalo sana kayong magsumikap sa inyong pag-aaral sa kabila ng kakapusan na inyong nararanasan. Tuparin ang pangarap ng inyong mga magulang at isama ang inyong mga komunidad sa inyong pag-unlad,” Romualdez told the students.

(The government's only request is that you work harder in your studies despite the hardships you are experiencing. Fulfill the dreams of your parents and include your communities in your progress.)

“Please study well, work hard, study hard. I assure you success is at hand,” he said.

Romualdez, leader of the House of Representatives, noted that the ISIP for the Youth program is part of the “Bagong Pilipinas” (New Philippines) campaign of President Marcos—where government aid and programs reach those who need it the most.

The ISIP for the Youth program targets tertiary and technical-vocational education students, as well as those enrolled under the Alternative Learning System (ALS).