By: Delaila Irma T. Calindas, Project Technical Staff II

Starting the year with a commitment to accessible and quality education, the Commission on Higher Education – Cordillera Administrative Region (CHED-CAR), in partnership with the University of the Cordilleras (UC), successfully conducted an orientation for the new beneficiaries of the Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) and Tulong Dunong Program (TDP-TES) for the First Semester of AY 2023-2024. The event, held on January 7, 2024, at UC in Baguio City, was attended by 118 TES beneficiaries and 133 TDP-TES grantees.

The morning session focused on the orientation of TES beneficiaries, where their roles and responsibilities were discussed. The session was facilitated by Dr. Bernadette C. Pal-ec, Education Supervisor II and UniFAST Focal Person of CHED-CAR.

In the afternoon, TDP-TES grantees attended a separate orientation that provided detailed information about their grants. Ms. Ana Grace P. Salibad, Regional Coordinator of CHED-CAR for UniFAST, led the presentation.

Ms. Menzie O. Kuengan, Supervising Education Program Specialist of CHED-CAR, graced the event and shared inspirational insights. She highlighted the significance of completing tertiary education and encouraged the beneficiaries to excel in their studies and contribute to nation-building. Representing the University of the Cordilleras were Ms. Jennifer Malayo, UniFAST Focal Person of UC; Ms. Ligaya Vindua, Registrar; and staff members Ms. Gemma Malagayo, Ms. Mervhi Lynne Lucio, and Mr. Jerome Quitola.

The TES and TDP-TES programs are part of Republic Act No. 10931, also known as the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act. These programs provide financial assistance to qualified students enrolled in CHED-recognized public and private higher education institutions, helping cover the partial cost of tertiary education and other education-related expenses.

To learn more about these programs, visit www.unifast.chedcar.com.