The first batch of TSUians received their stipend from Senator Loren Legarda under the Commission on Higher Education's Tulong Dunong Program for SUCs earlier this morning (March 11) at the TSU Gymnasium.
Through the initiative of Senate President Pro Tempore Legarda, 171 scholars each received 7,500 pesos of cash assistance through a one-time payout for the first semester of the academic year 2023-2024.
“Hangad ko na ito ay makatulong sa inyong pang-araw-araw na pangangailangan. I always viewed investing knowledge as a key to unlocking doors of opportunity for you and for filling your potential,” Sen. Legarda said in a video message.
"Tutulungan ko kayo na maabot ang antas ng sigasig at pagkauhaw sa kaalaman katulad noong ako ay bata pa rin noon," she added.
Meanwhile, Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Agnes M. Macaraeg anchored the university's core values in her message to the scholars.
"T is for truth – we need to put that into action. Dapat tayo ay magpakatotoo in providing S – service of excellence and compassion. Give service to your family, community, and TSU by studying hard and showing love to them, so we can say that, true to form, we are U – united in diversity," VP Macaraeg said.
"Let us serve as a tool or an agent to all our students to make love and peace and provide true service to TSU," she added.
In an interview, Melanie D. Gagarin, 48, a solo parent, said that the stipend would significantly help the transportation allowance of her children, who are studying on different TSU campuses.
Melanie and her daughter Paulene traveled from La Paz town to receive the stipend.
Paulene is a second-year BEEd student at the TSU La Paz Campus, while her brother Benjamin is a third-year BSEd student at the Lucinda Campus. Both would travel from La Paz to their campuses daily to attend classes.
Melanie, a suman (Filipino rice cake) vendor, thanked Sen. Legarda and TSU, as the stipend will help her make ends meet for her children.
Another stipend recipient from CoEd, Princess C. Chavez, a graduating BEEd student, resides at Sitio Calangitan in Capas town of Tarlac.
Like the Gagarin siblings, Chavez will use the money for her transportation needs to help her parents, a farmer and a housewife.
Recipients of Sen. Legarda's CHED TDP for SUCs were selected by the university's Scholarship and Financial Assistance Unit (SFAU) through the following criteria: students should not have an INC and a failing grade, and they should not be a recipient of any scholarship.
Meanwhile, the second batch of Sen. Legarda's CHED TDP SUCs scholars is expected to receive their stipend in the second semester of the present academic year.
According to the SFAU, this CHED TDP for SUCs from Sen. Legarda differs from the CHED TDP scholars from the three congressional districts of Tarlac, who receive stipends every semester.
Values Enrichment Seminar for Scholars
The SFAU, in collaboration with the Office of Gender and Development, organized the second leg of the values enrichment seminar themed "Developing Inner Self: Selfless Love and Service to People."
Through the seminar, both offices aim to equip scholars with personality development and the importance of selfless love and service to others.
"This is our way of reaching out to the scholars dahil it’s really important na ma-impart natin 'yung positive values sa kanila," SFAU Head Dr. Niña G. Valentin said.
SFAU personnel and values restoration officer Ms. Sarah T. Gonzales was the speaker for the first session. She focused on nurturing empathy and compassion to strengthen relationships and foster a thriving community.
She also advised the scholars to build a legacy of goodness to initiate positive impacts.
"Spread kindness and be of service to others. May the kindness of Sen. Legarda inspire you to do the same. Pay it forward," Ms. Gonzales said.
Meanwhile, in the second part of the program, Dr. Oliver G. Cura, Guidance and Counseling Unit Head, emphasized the importance of self-awareness for personal growth and explored the role of values as guiding principles in the decision-making process.
The first leg of the activity was held last February 19, with scholars coming from different private providers as the audience.
The program is a reactivation of the 2018 project between SFAU and GAD. (jlmm-OPA)
Photo by Eduardo F. Laxamana Jr.
