The Commission on Higher Education (CHED), in partnership with the Provincial Government of Pampanga, awarded financial assistance to 1,123 college students from Guagua and Sta. Rita on Tuesday.

Second District Board Members Fritzie David-Dizon, Sajid Khan Eusoof, Claire Lim, and JC Cruz led the distribution, providing P7,500 each to students from Guagua National Colleges, Mary the Queen College, and Sta. Rita College through CHED’s Tulong Dunong Program (TDP).

Earlier, Governor Dennis “Delta” Pineda also provided P7,500 each to 428 students from Holy Cross College in Sta. Ana.

Jasmin Menesses, a third-year criminology student at Holy Cross College, expressed her gratitude for the support, noting that the scholarship inspires her and many students to continue their education despite financial challenges. Her family, who relies on income from selling balut, sometimes struggles to cover educational expenses for her and her siblings.

The Tulong Dunong Program provides eligible college students with a grant of P7,500 per semester to help them pursue their education in the Philippines.