SPEAKER Martin Romualdez continued his thrust to give deserving students a chance at quality education.

In partnership with other government department, the Speaker launched the Integrated Scholarships and Incentives Program at the SMX Convention Center in Olongapo City, Zambales.

The solon also gave financial aid and scholarships to 4,000 local students in the province.

“We are rolling out this program to give life to President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos, Jr.’s directive to help qualified Filipino students who are financially incapable of paying for quality education,” Romualdez said.

“Inilunsad natin ito sa Iloilo noong nakaraang taon, at dito naman sa Zambales ang ating tututukan,” he added.

The program targets tertiary and vocational students who will receive financial assistance every six months through the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

The cash aid will cover tuition and other expenses.

Each of the 4,000 students will receive P2,000 in financial assistance from the DSWD.

Identified student beneficiaries will be enrolled under the Commission on Higher Education’s Tulong Dunong Program, where students can get scholarship assistance of up to P15,000 per year.

“We do this so our children can reach for their dreams, graduate and become productive members of our communities, more than capable of contributing to nation-building. Ito ang hangarin ng ating Pangulo, at ito rin ang aming pangarap para sa ating mga kabataan,” Romualdez said.