By Mariela Angella Oladive
A total of 150 scholars in Iloilo City received P25,000 in educational cash assistance each for the academic year 2023-2024 through the Commission on Higher Education-Student Monetary Assistance for Recovery and Transition (CHED-SMART) scholarship program on January 27 at Dungon A covered court, Jaro, Iloilo City.
The distribution program was facilitated by Senator Lito Lapid, Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) COO Mark Lapid, Councilor Nick Baronda, and the lone district of Iloilo City Rep. Julienne “Jamjam” Baronda.
The allocation of funds was made possible through the joint efforts of Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez in partnership with CHED and Rep. Baronda.
In an interview, Baronda shared that she personally visited the homes of waitlisted applicants under the Uswag Gugma scholarship to assess and identify the most deserving scholars. The applications and requirements underwent vetting at the CHED central office after submission in December 2023.
This initiative is part of Representative Baronda’s HOPE advocacy, reflecting her ongoing commitment to seek opportunities that enable students to complete their college education.
