BENEFICIARIES of the Tertiary Education Subsidy can now easily and safely get their stipends with the launching of the Landbank Mastercard Prepaid Card, Unified Student Financial Assistance System.

The partnership of the Commission on Higher Education, Landbank and Unifast is the latest initiative in the implementation of the TES program to address the challenges of disbursing financial assistance to more than 700,000 TES and Tulong Dunong Program grantees during the pandemic.

“Before, various modalities were available to get their TES subsidy, some got it through ATM cards, others through lists and payroll of individual universities.  We have realized that the restrictions during the time of pandemic made it very difficult for the government to help our needy students,” CHED Chairman Prospero De Vera III said.

The LMPC can also be used as a payment card anywhere in the world where Mastercard is accepted.

“This is a commitment and an assurance from our President that free and quality tertiary education will continue to be offered to provide access to disadvantaged Filipino students by giving them additional funds that will cover not only their educational needs but even their living expenses all over the country as they proceed to complete their degrees,” De Vera said.

House Speaker Lord Allan Jay Velasco joined the virtual launching and exhorted the students to maximize the  opportunities given to them.

“We are counting on you to be our future partners in nation building and to help alleviate the plight of your families and local communities,” Velasco added.

President Rodrigo Duterte in a video message said that the occasion is an affirmation of the administration’s unyielding commitment to make quality tertiary education more accessible for students.

“As the future of our nation, you have the obligation to use education as a means to improve yourselves so you may one day contribute to your families, communities and the entire nation,” the President said.

The TES is one of the major programs under Republic Act 10931 or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Law.

It helps poor students and those residing and studying in cities and municipalities without public universities pursue their studies.