CEBU CITY, Philippines — Growing up in a poor family where there was never enough money to sustain their basic needs, Melchie F. Ejera, knew she had to work doubly hard to earn a college degree, find a job and end the vicious cycle of poverty.
Melchie, a native of Sitio Bangkerohan in Barangay Tayud, Consolacion town, decided to enrol at the Cebu Technological University-Main Campus in 2015.
She aimed to finish a degree in Elementary Education major in Early Childhood Education.
“When I was in my first and second years in college, there was never a time that I did not shed tears every school enrolment. My father did not have regular work at that time. That’s why my parents needed to borrow money from their friends to pay for my tuition fee,” shares Melchie.
Her father is a factory worker, her mother is a housewife. Melchie has three younger siblings.
The Ejera family did not have a permanent address.
“I grew up in a situation where poverty for me was normal. We used to have different addresses because we did not have permanent house at all,” she says.
But one thing she admired in her parents was the value they placed on honesty and hardwork.
” I saw how my parents worked hard to support our needs especially in our education,” says Melchie.
The Ejera family became recipients of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) of the Department of Social and Development (DSWD) in 2013.
“This government program was an answer to our prayers. We were able to pay for our school expenses. We were able to taste delicious food that we have never tasted before,” adds Melchie.
Melchie has been focused on her studies since then. She never lose sight of the goal.
On May 20, 2019, Melchie finally earned the fruit of her hardwork. She finished her degree, Cum Laude, and proudly offered her success to her parents.
Melchie Ejera graduates Cum Laude with an education degree from the Cebu Technological University Main Campus on May 20, 2019. Melchie is a recipient of the Expanded Students Grants-in-Aid Program for Poverty Alleviation (ESGP-PA). CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
“There were times when I wanted to quit. But every time that I plan to do that, I see in my parents’ eyes the dream of seeing me succeed. It always gives me hope and encouragement,” she said.
Ejera was one of the beneficiaries of the Expanded Students Grants-in-Aid Program for Poverty Alleviation (ESGP-PA), a scholarship assistance that she was lucky to earn on her third year in college.
Program details
ESGP-PA is a program implemented by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and State Universities and Colleges (SUCs).
It aims to provide opportunities to 4Ps members, whose children are determined to pursue college education and qualified for the scholarship.
“What I went through are experiences which I cannot shrug off and forget about. I am thankful that I have experienced all of the hardships because it motivated me to work and pray harder,” said Ejera.
For school year 2018 to 2019, around 364 ESGP-PA scholars from 4Ps household members completed their tertiary education.
“A college degree for the children-beneficiaries opens an opportunity for them to access better employment and help them improve their lives,” said Leah Quintana, information officer of DSWD-7.
She said these students graduated from five SUCs in the region.
Seventy-five (75) students graduated from Siquijor State College (SSC) while 154 students graduated from Negros Oriental State University (NORSU).
In Cebu, 111 graduated from Cebu Technological University (CTU) and three scholars earned their degrees from Cebu Normal University (CNU).
There were 21 graduates from Bohol Island State Unversity (BISU).
Melchie’s batch is the last set of scholars under ESGP-PA as the program will now transition to the Unified Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education Act (UniFAST) which will implement the Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES).
DSWD has provided the Listahanan, or the list of identified poor students, to UniFAST which could be used as reference for the implementation of the TES.
Now that she has earned her education degree, the next step for Melchie is to earn her teaching license and find a job.
She is now a step closer to fully realize her dream. / celr