Gresil Alberto-Tampus from barangay Buto, Jimalalud, Negros Oriental turns emotional while sharing her struggles as a student. (CONTRIBUTED)
Almost 200 grantees of the government’s Students’ Grants-In-Aide Program for Poverty Alleviation (SGP-PA) have graduated from the Cebu Normal University (CNU) last March 30.
The SGPPA educational grants are given to Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program beneficiaries.
A student-grantee is entitled to P60,000 grant per year or P30,000 per semester to cover the costs for tuition and other school fees.
“Of the 2,093 SGPPA educational grantees in Central Visayas 188 graduated last March and we are very proud that 12 of them are Cum Laude,” said DSWD Regional Director Ma. Evelyn Macapobre.
“The 188 are the first batch of SGPPA graduates in the region,” she added.
Among the first batch of graduates is Gresil Alberto-Tampus from barangay Buto, Jimalalud, Negros Oriental.
She graduated Cum Laude with a degree in Elementary Education Major in Special Education.
Gresil, 23, stopped schooling for two years because her parents, who are both farmers, could not afford to send her to college.
Other cum laude graduates are Luar Jay Salinguhay, Rose Ann Bacon, Ma. Ana May Rubia, Benjie Vanzuela, Roland Gaballo, Rose Marie Gebong, Stephanie Cañedo, Michelle Danielez, Anjie Lou Medellada, Queency Anfone and Annebe Gastador.
To celebrate this milestone, the Department of Social and Development in Central Visayas (DSWD 7) conducted a ceremonial graduation last April 7 at the CNU Hall.
The event was attended by the SGPPA graduates together with their parents.
Dr. Bryant C. Acar, University Lecturer of the University of Southern Philippines served as the guest speaker of the said activity.