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

In line with its commitment to widening access to quality higher education, CHED-UniFAST CAR formally oriented the latest batch of Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) beneficiaries of Easter College Inc (ECI) on September 25, 2025. This session, organized by ECI, aimed to familiarize the students and their parents with the provisions of Republic Act No. 10931 or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act (UAQTEA), as well as the roles, responsibilities, and privileges of the grantees under the program.

Dr. Cleofe Kollin, ECI President, also graced the session and welcomed the beneficiaries. In her welcome remarks, she congratulated the new beneficiaries and reminded them to treasure the opportunity with gratitude and responsibility. She emphasized that while the subsidy eases the financial burden of education, it also comes with the challenge of perseverance, discipline, and accountability. She encouraged the grantees to make the most of the assistance not only for themselves and their families but also in honor of the many others who aspire to be in their place.

The orientation session was led by Dr. Bernadette C. Pal-ec, Education Supervisor II and UniFAST Focal Person of CHED-UniFAST CAR, who presented the overview of UAQTEA.

Ms. Jurcell V. Dilla, Regional Coordinator of CHED-UniFAST CAR, discussed the roles and responsibilities of the new beneficiaries. She underscored that TES, as one of the flagship programs of UAQTEA, is designed to provide financial support to qualified students, thereby reducing economic barriers and enabling them to pursue higher education.

Following the orientation, the beneficiaries, together with their parents, signed the TES Sharing Agreement, which outlined the details of the grant and signified their formal acceptance as recipients.

A total of 154 students comprise Batch 15 of TES in Easter College, effective First Semester of Academic Year 2024–2025. Each grantee is entitled to receive Php 13,500 per semester as financial assistance, partially covering the cost of their tertiary education.

This initiative reaffirms CHED-UniFAST CAR’s commitment to ensuring that student-beneficiaries are well-informed of their privileges and responsibilities under the program, empowering them to maximize the support extended through the government’s higher education assistance.