TO HELP with their educational costs, the Department of Social Welfare and Development encouraged Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program beneficiaries who wish to pursue higher education to avail of the government’s tertiary education support programs.

DSWD Assistant Secretary for Strategic Communications Romel Lopez said the Commission on Higher Education has various educational assistance programs, including scholarships, grant-in-aid, and student loan programs.

“These programs aim to enhance access to quality education for qualified beneficiaries of the country’s flagship anti-poverty program by easing the financial burden of deserving individuals aspiring to pursue higher education,” Lopez said.

“Investing in tertiary education for 4Ps beneficiaries is an investment for the future of their respective households and also a step toward achieving the goal of the 4Ps to alleviate poverty through access to free education,” Lopez stressed.

To date, there are 113 state universities and colleges and 104 local universities and colleges nationwide offering free tertiary education under the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act.

In addition, Lopez added that recipients of the 4Ps program can also make use of free technical-vocational education and training offered by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.