THE MARIANO Marcos State University distributed the allowance this week of 749 students under the Tertiary Education Subsidy.

TES is a government grant program made possible through the enactment of the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, a law that institutionalizes free tuition and exemption from other fees in state universities and colleges, local universities and colleges.

Under the program, cash assistance amounting to P40,000 per school year is given to poor students in public and private schools, as well as to those studying in municipalities and cities without public universities.

MMSU said it distributed the grants after CHED gave the go signal.

Dr. Elizabeth Marfel Gagni, director of MMSU Office of Student Affairs and Services, said the distribution of stipends was done systematically and in coordination with the local government units in the province.

“Each group of grantees from various municipalities in Ilocos Norte were given specific time slots to get their stipends while strictly observing Covid19 health protocols. A separate mechanism will be carried out for those residing outside Ilocos Norte,” Gagni said.