HOUSE Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez on Saturday led the launching of social service program to benefit disadvantaged students and the youth in every province in the country.

The Integrated Scholarships and Incentives Program for the Youth, an initiative of the Office of the Speaker in partnership with the Marcos administration was pilot-launched Saturday at the West Visayas State University Cultural Center in Iloilo City.

“Sa utos ng ating mahal na Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. at sa pakikipagtulungan ng iba’t ibang ahensya ng gobyerno, inilunsad natin ang ISIP para sa Kabataan. Layon ng programang ito na tulungan ang mga karapat-dapat na estudyante na kapos sa pondo para makapagpatuloy sa de-kalidad na edukasyon,” Romualdez said.

“This initiative is in collaboration with several government agencies to assist disadvantaged but deserving students facing financial challenges in pursuing their studies. Remember, when our students graduate, they become productive members of society and contribute to nation-building,” he added.

The ISIP is a financial assistance initiative for students in high school, Alternative Learning System, tertiary levels and vocational education institutions.

A total of 2,000 students under the program in the province of Iloilo will receive P2,000 every six months through the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations to cover tuition and other expenses.

The qualified beneficiaries are also recipients of Tulong Dunong pogram of CHED, consisting of P15,000 for one year which they will receive in January next year.

These students are also assured slots under the Government Internship Program after graduation, and their parents or guardians will be enrolled in the TUPAD Program of the Department of Labor and Employment, making it a comprehensive project benefiting both the students and their families.

“This is to ensure that these students will eventually become our partners in nation-building. Nakakagana pong mag-aral pag alam mong may internship ka sa gobyerno pagka-graduate mo,” Speaker Romualdez said.

ISIP for the Youth is a convergence project with DSWD, DoLE, Commission on Higher Education, and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.