A second-year Bachelor of Secondary Education major in English at Northern Christian College in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte, has been on the Dean’s List since his first year, excelling academically despite financial challenges. His success is supported by the Commission on Higher Education’s (CHED) Tulong Dunong Program (TDP), which provides financial assistance to students like him.

The TDP allows recipients to focus on their studies without the added burden of education costs. Mark Jerick Ponce, who is among the beneficiaries, expressed gratitude for the support, saying not only was he happy but many other students, in reference to the impact of the scholarship.

“At napakasaya po namin dahil ang scholarship po na ito, hindi lang po namin magagasta sa eskwela kundi sa pangsarili po,” he added.

(And we are very happy because this scholarship, we will not only be able to spend on school but also on ourselves.)

Ponce’s story highlights the role of scholarship programs in helping students achieve their academic goals. Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, Chair of the Senate Committee on Youth, has long supported such initiatives and worked to improve access to education.

Recently, Go co-sponsored and co-authored Republic Act No. 12077, the Student Loan Payment Moratorium During Disasters and Emergencies Act, which offers financial relief to students with outstanding loans during calamities.