LUNA, Apayao – 500 yApayao students recently received educational aid through the Apayao Student Assistance Program (ASAP) of the provincial government.
The cash aid of PhP7,500 for each beneficiary was handed over during a payout held on November 4 at the Barangay Quirino Gymnasium in Luna, primarily benefitting students from Apayao State College (ASC).
Chief of Staff of the Governor Verlie Mae Baldovino, in her message, said that the assistance will enable students to focus on their educational pursuits. “Hindi niyo na kailangang isipin pa kung saan kayo kukuha ng panggastos para sa inyong mga projects,” she said.
“Makakapag-focus na kayo sa pag-aaral at baka mas mataas na makukuha niyong marka kasi wala nang financial burden,” she added.
“Nagpapasalamat din tayo sa DSWD [Department of Social Welfare and Development] dahil napakalaking tulong nito para sa ating mga kababayan na studyante,” she stated, acknowledging the program’s partnership with the DSWD and its field support in Apayao.
Baldovino likewise reminded the students of the responsibility tied to the assistance and urged them to allocate it wisely. “Sana itong maibibigay na assistance, gamitin natin ito sa tama.
Para sa ating mga school needs sana at hindi sa kung ano-anong pagkakagastusan lang, lalong lalo na sa bisyo. Hindi poi to napupulot kaya sana po we spend it wisely,” she advised while underscoring the program’s intent to cover essential school expenses rather than personal spending.
Meanwhile, program focal person Marie Claire Palattao, addressed the operational improvements expected in future payouts, hinting at a full shift to the student’s personal Land Bank accounts for faster disbursements. “Makakaasa po kayong next semester, we will continue with the use of your Land Bank accounts na po para mas mabilis na po ninyo matatanggap ang assistance,” she said.
ASAP is one of the core initiatives of Governor Elias C. Bulut, Jr. and is a component of the Apayao Socio-Economic Efforts Necessary for Growth (ASENG) program which aims to bring government services directly to the people. Each beneficiary under ASAP receives financial support twice per academic year, with a sum of PhP15,000 annually and distributed per semester to meet ongoing educational needs. By Jess Christley Marquez
