PBBM’S ‘TULONG ESKWELA’ PROGRAM GRANTS CASH AID TO 1.32-M PARENTS NATIONWIDE

A SOIAL amelioration program on Friday was launched by distributing a total of P5.28 billion in financial aid in just two days to 1.32 million Filipino parents of senior high students nationwide to defray the costs of education and help them achieve their education goals.

Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, the main proponent of the “Tulong Eskwela” Program, said the project was part of the directive of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. during his 3rd State of the Nation Address (SONA) to work toward educational reform through technology and modernization.

“Ang ‘Tulong Eskwela’ ay ang ating tugon sa hamon ng ating mahal na Pangulo sa kanyang huling SONA. At ang ating senior high education system ay malaking bahagi ng repormang ating ipinapatupad sa sektor ng edukasyon,” Speaker Romualdez said.

“Kadalasan ay kinakapos ang mga magulang sa pagtustos sa pagtatapos ng kanilang mga anak sa senior high school. At kapag hindi nagtapos, mahirap makakuha ng trabaho at mahirap magkaroon ng kontribusyon sa ating mga komunidad,” the leader of the 300-plus-strong House of Representatives said.

“This initiative is designed to alleviate the financial burdens that often hinder our senior high school students from realizing their full potential. By providing critical financial assistance to families across the nation, we are ensuring that education remains a reachable goal for every Filipino child, regardless of their economic background,” he said.

The program was launched Friday in 220 areas in all provinces nationwide, with each area of implementation having a total of 3,000 parents of senior high school students chosen as beneficiaries for the financial assistance under the Ayuda para sa Kapos Ang Kita Program (AKAP) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and another 3,000 for employment assistance under the Tulong Panghanapbuhay Sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) of DOLE.

“The integration of AKAP and TUPAD within the Tulong Eskwela Program not only provides immediate relief but also employment opportunities for the families of our students. This dual approach ensures that we are addressing both the short-term and long-term needs of our communities,” Speaker Romualdez noted.

All in all, some 660,000 parents will be receiving P3,000 each from AKAP in cash aid and another 660,000 will receive P5,000 in employment assistance, for a total of P5.28 billion in financial aid to P1.32 million beneficiaries in simultaneous distribution ceremonies happening from Aug. 30 to 31.

Speaker Romualdez said the “Tulong Eskwela” Program not only provides monetary aid but also fosters an environment of encouragement and support by investing in Filipino students on the cusp of achieving their dreams.