4Ps COLLEGE EDUCATION. A Pantawid Pamilya Pilipino Program municipal coordinator hands in a letter containing information about the Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education (UniFAST) program that provides free tuition for students in state colleges and universities in this undated photo. DSWD 7 (Central Visayas) Director Shalaine Marie Lucero said Tuesday (Feb. 6, 2024) they have intensified the information drive targeting 4Ps beneficiaries who have college students, informing them about Republic Act (RA) 10931, otherwise known as the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, which gives free tuition for poor but deserving students, especially those who are children of 4Ps families. (Photo courtesy of DSWD-7)
CEBU CITY – Children of Pantawid Pamilya Pilipino Program (4Ps) families in Central Visayas are assured of their college education, because of Republic Act 10931, a social welfare official said on Tuesday.
Shalaine Marie Lucero, director of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 7 (Central Visayas), said they have intensified the information drive to educate 4Ps families to send their children to state universities and colleges (SUCs) or Commission on Higher Education-recognized local institutions.
She said the agency also sent written notices through the 4Ps City and Municipal Links (C/MLs) to inform the 4Ps partner beneficiaries of the various educational assistance offered by the Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education (UniFAST), indicating the qualifications and benefits of each program.
“In 4Ps, the beneficiaries graduate from the program once their children graduate from senior high school or turn 19, whichever comes first. CHED programs can help ease the financial burden of the family whose children aspire to pursue higher education,” Lucero said in an interview.
Under RA 10931, otherwise known as the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, UniFAST is the “harmonized, state-run and administered system of higher education and technical-vocational scholarships, grants-in-aid, student loans, and other modalities of student financial assistance program under Republic Act No. 10687.”
4Ps beneficiaries may avail of these programs in four state institutions in Central Visayas – the Bohol Island State University, Cebu Normal University, Cebu Technological University, Negros Oriental State University, and Siquijor State College. (PNA)
