700 college students in Albay get cash assistance

By Connie Calipay

LEGAZPI CITY --- At least 700 undergraduate students in Albay province will receive a one-time financial grant of PHP25,000 each through the Student Monetary Assistance For Recovery and Transition (SMART) Grant program early next year.

SMART Grant is a project of the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) and is being implemented in the province with the help of the Ako Bicol (AKB) Party-List Representative and House Committee on Appropriations chair, Representative Elizaldy Co.

In an interview on Wednesday, AKB Rep. Raul Angelo Bongalon said the grant worth a total of PHP17.5 million will assist students with their educational expenses and cost of living allowance.

“Since students were very much affected by the pandemic and all schools are now in face-to-face classes, this is one way of CHED to assist our learners to sustain their needs. We provided some funds for this program since we know that education is very important in nation-building,” Bongalon said.

Ako Bicol Party-List Rep. Raul Angelo Bongalon (PNA file photo)

He said the 700 beneficiaries who attended an orientation recently are undergraduate students enrolled in different tertiary schools in Albay.

“The SMART grant is not just a simple financial assistance, but a step in ensuring that our youth, especially those in need, can continue their studies. We want more Bicolano students to have the opportunity to graduate and become part of the country’s workforce,” he added.

During the orientation, the criteria and application process for the grant were explained to the beneficiaries, who were also advised on how they could use the financial assistance most effectively. (PNA)