An initial batch of 3,000 students of the University of Antique (UA) have received educational assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

The educational assistance, part of the DSWD’s Aid to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS), was distributed on Thursday at UA’s main campus in Sibalom municipality.

Student recipients not receiving any scholarship were given PHP10,000 each to help them meet their school needs, according to Antique Rep. Antonio Agapito Legarda.

“I believe that education is not only a privilege, but the right of each one, so do well in school,” Legarda said in his message to students before the distribution of the educational assistance.

Legarda said with the help of his sister, Senator Loren Legarda, he lobbied for the assistance with the DSWD.

He said he believes that the future of Antique, which became a first class province late last year, lies on the students once they graduate from college and land a job.

Dr. Runato Basañes, UA Student Affairs Director, said during the distribution that this is the first time that the students from their university who are not able to receive any scholarship such as the Tulong-Dunong of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) could also receive such assistance.

“Our hearts are full and the students are excited to receive the educational assistance,” Basañes said.

Basañes added that the educational assistance would be a big help to the students.

UA is the only state university in Antique and has around 26,000 students.

Peby May Isman, a freshman student taking up Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurship, said in an interview that she is fortunate to receive the educational assistance as it will be helpful in her daily commute to and from school.

“I am already married with three kids, but I really want to finish school for I believe it will be our means to get out from poverty,” she said.

She added that the educational assistance will not only shoulder her daily tricycle fare from Barangay Caluoy in Sibalom to UA but also those of her three children who are also in school.

Another recipient, Dianne Elizabeth Bartolini, a Bachelor of Science in Hotel Management third-year student, said the amount will be her daily school allowance and will be used also for supplies.

“I will also give portion of the amount to my father for him to buy a sack of rice and groceries for our consumption,” she said, adding that her father works as a tricycle driver and her mother a housewife.

In a separate interview, Darlene Abagat, Social Welfare and Development (SWAD) team leader in Antique, said the educational assistance intends to help students pay for their tuition, miscellaneous fees and other school needs.

“The remaining students will be receiving their educational assistance depending on the availability of funds,” she said.

She said she is hoping that the student recipients, who had been assessed prior as indigents without any scholarship, should use the amount properly. (PNA)