MAY kabuuang P3.744 billion ang inilabas sa Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) upang pondohan ang “Tulong Dunong” scholarship program nito na nagkakaloob ng tulong pinansiyal sa qualified at deserving tertiary students, ayon sa Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

Sinabi ng DBM na inaprubahan ni Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman ang pag-iisyu ng Special Allotment Release Order (SARO) para sa programa noong April 15, 2024.

“This scholarship program is a huge help for our dear students, especially those who are having financial difficulty or simply cannot afford to go to college,” wika ni Pangandaman.

“Providing necessary funds for programs like this gives them a fighting chance to complete their degrees and ultimately give them a better future. As what President Bongbong Marcos said, sa Bagong Pilipinas, dapat ay walang Pilipinong maiiwan,” dagdag pa niya.

Ang inilabas na budget ay pakikinabangan ng 247,135 student-grantees na naka-enrol sa CHEd-recognized public at private higher education institutions para sa second semester ng Academic Year (AY) 2023-2024 at sa first semester ng AY 2024-2025.

Ang “Tulong Dunong” program ay isa sa mga bahagi ng Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education – Tertiary Education Subsidy.