THE VICE chairperson of the House Committee on Higher and Technical Education, Quezon City Rep. Marvin Rillo, announced on Sunday that around 137,000 college students are set to receive ₱15,000 in cash assistance this year through the national government’s Tulong Dunong Program (TDP).

“In the 2025 General Appropriations Law, Congress earmarked ₱2.06 billion for the TDP, which provides grantees with ₱7,500 per semester or ₱15,000 per academic year,” Rillo said in a statement.

He emphasized Congress’ commitment to sustaining the program’s annual funding, which has eased the financial burden for college students.

Rillo, a staunch advocate for education access, authored the 2024 law that abolished the ‘no permit, no exam’ policy in schools. The law, Republic Act No. 11984, ensures that students can take exams even with unpaid tuition and other fees.

The TDP, part of the government’s tertiary education subsidy programs, covers partial costs of college education, including related expenses. Eligible grantees must be enrolled in an undergraduate program at a CHED-recognized public or private college or university and submit proof of enrollment.