| Photo via PCO
TACLOBAN CITY — For hundreds of struggling college students in this city, the dream of finishing their degrees no longer feels distant. A total of 690 students have been named Tacloban Presidential Scholars, beneficiaries of the national government’s educational assistance under the “Bawat Barangay Makikinabang Program,” a grassroots initiative of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
Each scholar was selected by their respective barangays, the smallest local government unit, ensuring that aid reaches students most at risk of dropping out due to financial hardship. The program is designed to support vulnerable fourth‑year students who often struggle with thesis costs, transportation, and daily expenses.
A Lifeline for Students Facing Financial Strain
For 21‑year‑old Emerson Cabrillas, a Bachelor of Science in Education student at Leyte Normal University, the assistance is nothing short of life‑changing. “Napakalaking tulong nito sa katulad naming mahirap. Apat kaming magkakapatid na sabay-sabay nag-aaral,” he said, describing how the grant eases the burden on his tricycle‑driver father and market‑vendor mother.
Cabrillas said the support helps cover thesis requirements and daily expenses — costs that often force students to stop short of graduation. His story mirrors that of many scholars in the program.
From Barangay 99 in Diit district, John Mark Martinez and Renza Miel Pesado, both students at Asian Development Foundation College, shared similar struggles. “Kailangan kong makatapos dahil ako lang ang nakapag-college sa amin,” Pesado said, noting that his father works as a security guard.
Who They Are and Where They Come From
The 690 scholars come from various barangays across Tacloban, including Diit and Sto. Niño, representing families of tricycle drivers, market vendors, security guards, and other low‑income earners. Many are first‑generation college students carrying the aspirations of entire households.
One of them, Kyla Montejo, a 23‑year‑old student from Barangay 106 Sto. Niño enrolled at Eastern Visayas State University, and said the assistance brings relief after years of financial strain. “Napakalaking tulong ito para sa pamilya namin. Sana mas marami pang tulad naming mahirap ang matulungan,” she said.
How the Scholars Will Be Funded
Under the Bagong Pilipinas Barangay Scholars “finisher fund,” each barangay nationwide receives ₱200,000 in direct funding, with a portion allocated to education. Specifically, five incoming fourth‑year students per barangay are granted a one‑time ₱20,000 assistance to help them complete their degrees.
The program directly addresses the country’s 39% college attrition rate, often driven by financial constraints in the final year of schooling.
Which Schools and Courses Will They Take
The scholars are enrolled in various higher‑education institutions across Tacloban, including:
- Leyte Normal University (Education and related programs)
- Asian Development Foundation College (Business, IT, and allied courses)
- Eastern Visayas State University (Engineering, Technology, and Social Sciences)
Their courses range from education and engineering to business administration, information technology, and community‑oriented programs — fields that reflect the region’s workforce needs.
A Program Designed to Reach the Most Vulnerable
By channeling funds through barangays, the government ensures that assistance reaches marginalized households, including children of transport workers and displaced families.
President Marcos personally met the scholars at the Tacloban City Convention Center, reinforcing the administration’s message that government support is “not distant, but present, and responsive.”
For the 690 scholars, the assistance represents more than financial aid — it is a renewed chance to finish college, uplift their families, and pursue opportunities once out of reach.
