Pushing for wider scholarship access, Cebu Technological University (CTU) joined the PBBM-GABAY ng Bayan Program-Visayas Cluster Caravan (Programa para sa Buti ng Bayan at Mamamayan: Galing, Akses, Batid, at Angat tungo sa Yaman ng Bayan), held on April 30 at the University of San Jose–Recoletos-Basak Campus.
Hosted by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), in collaboration with the Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education (UniFAST), the event focused on expanding government scholarship access for Filipino youth, highlighted by the launching of the Bagong Pilipinas Merit Scholarship Program (BPMSP).
Dr. Shirley C. Agrupis, CHED Chairperson, emphasized the agency’s focus on prudent allocation of education resources during her speech.
“The intention of CHED is to assure the government that every single peso invested in education should contribute toward a Matatag na Bagong Pilipinas,” said Chairperson Dr. Agrupis.
She further stressed that students must be properly informed of government priorities, especially with free tuition. Dr. Agrupis urged them not to waste this opportunity, but instead to support the administration and help drive national transformation.
Showing support for this important initiative, OIC–President Dr. Jonita V. Literatus attended the event alongside Dr. Romeo P. Montecillo, Vice President for Student Affairs, Ms. Janet A. Saragena, OIC–University Director for Financial Assistance and Student Scholarship Program (FASSP), and Admission Officer Dr. Catherine Ross Degula.
A total of 26 potential CTU applicants for the BPMSP, incoming first-year students enrolled in the Bachelor of Science with majors in Statistics, Mathematics, Civil Engineering, and Information Technology, attended the event.
Meanwhile, 55 grantees of the Tulong Dunong Program–Tertiary Education Subsidy (TDP–TES) and the Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) also participated.
The gathering also featured talks on government scholarship programs, namely the BPMSP, Free Higher Education (FHE), TES, and TDP, promoting access to quality education. It also featured the ceremonial turnover of LANDBANK ATM cards, along with the recognition of scholarship beneficiaries and Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP) completers.
Promoting local products and innovations, CTU campuses from Tuburan, Carmen, Danao, and Argao showcased exhibits featuring bangus chips, squash binangkal, and sweet potato chips, among others, as well as Argao’s renowned ‘hinablon sa Cebu.’
BPMSP, a merit-based program, supports outstanding Filipino senior high school graduates pursuing tertiary education or technical-vocational fields. Through tuition aid, allowances, and pathways to opportunities, the program reinforces CTU’s vital role in preparing graduates for nation-building.
