MANILA – The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) announced on Thursday (02 May 2024) that a total of P3.744 billion has been disbursed to the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) to support its “Tulong Dunong” scholarship program, aimed at providing financial assistance to qualified tertiary students in need.

According to a press release from the DBM, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman approved the issuance of the Special Allotment Release Order (SARO) for the program on April 15, 2024.

“This scholarship program is immensely beneficial for our students, particularly those facing financial challenges or unable to afford college tuition,” Pangandaman remarked, as quoted in the DBM press release.

“Allocating funds for initiatives like this provides them with a significant opportunity to pursue their degrees and secure a better future. As President Bongbong Marcos has stated, in the New Philippines, no Filipino should be left behind,” she added.

The released amount is expected to support 247,135 student-grantees enrolled in CHEd-recognized public and private higher education institutions for the second semester of the Academic Year (AY) 2023-2024 and the first semester of AY 2024-2025.

The “Tulong Dunong” program is a component of the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education – Tertiary Education Subsidy.

(el Amigo/MNM)