Ensuring that new beneficiaries of the Tulong Dunong Program – Tertiary Education Subsidy (TDP-TES) are abreast with the right information and knowledge about their responsibilities and the pertinent guidelines, the Commission on Higher Education Regional Office 2 (CHED RO2), through its Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education (UniFAST) Unit, conducted a Virtual Orientation on November 14, 2023 via the Zoom Platform.

Attended by TDP-TES Focal Persons, and student-grantees from the various partner HEIs in the provinces of Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, and Quirino, the orientation covered the presentation and discussion of the UniFAST Memorandum Circular No. 2, s. 2022 otherwise known as the “Guidelines on the implementation of the Tulong Dunong Program for AY 2020-2021 and onwards”; qualification requirements, application procedures, documentary requirements, and billing process; and grounds for termination.

Ably represented by Dr. Almacita P. Abrigo, Chief Education Program Specialist, Atty. Marco Cicero F. Domingo, OIC-Director IV of CHED RO2, congratulated the new student-grantees and conveyed his sincerest thanks to the Focal Persons of partner HEIs.

“Since its inception, TDP has indeed helped financially challenged but deserving students succeed in their chosen studies and made a significant change to their lives,” Atty. Domingo said. “Our country, who is investing in you, may not demand anything in return, but expects that you will be the ones who will take the forefront and direct the helm towards a bright and better future.”

Ms. Analiza A. Tordillos and Ms. Marieton B. Talosig of the CHED RO2 – UniFAST Unit led the discussion and enlightened the participants on the topics. An open forum in which concerns and issues were given due course culminated the orientation. (A. Maguigad Jr.)