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

Continuing its commitment to champion accessible and equitable education services in the Cordillera, CHED-UniFAST CAR met with the latest batch of Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) beneficiaries of Mountain Province State University (MPSU) for an orientation session held on August 28, 2025, at Governor Leonard G. Mayaen Sports Complex, Poblacion, Bontoc, Mountain Province.

The activity, organized by the Office of Scholarships and Grants under the leadership of Mr. Jay Napanoy, aimed to orient Batch 15 beneficiaries, effective First Semester of Academic Year 2024–2025, on their roles, responsibilities, and benefits under the TES program.

Ms. Marife B. Calimodag, Regional Coordinator of CHED-UniFAST CAR, facilitated the orientation and discussed the details of the TES grant. She emphasized that TES is a flagship program of Republic Act No. 10931 or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, designed to provide financial assistance to eligible students and help break economic barriers to higher education. She also encouraged beneficiaries to maximize the stipend and manage it wisely to support their academic journey.

Batch 15 in MPSU is composed of 216 beneficiaries, each entitled to receive Php 10,000 per semester as financial support.

Also present during the orientation were Ms. Jennifer Ruth Tuazon, Dean of the Student Services and Development Office; Dr. Glen Gayagay, Alumni and Job Placement Coordinator; and Mr. Jason Paleg, Student Organization Coordinator, who all expressed support and guidance to the new TES beneficiaries.

For more information on TES and other student financial assistance programs, visit www.unifast.chedcar.com.