A total of 54,761 private school students who have unpaid tuition and miscellaneous fees have received a grant of five thousand pesos (P5,000) under the Bayanihan 2 for Higher Education Tulong Program (B2HELP) implemented by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).
The P300M fund for the B2HELP is part of the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act (Bayanihan 2) or Republic Act 11494 signed into law by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on September 11, 2020 to jump start the economy and provide additional amelioration assistance to affected Filipinos.
“As instructed by President Duterte to immediately implement the Bayanihan 2 amelioration programs, CHED has released close to P300 million to 927 private schools to reduce the unpaid tuition and miscellaneous fees of their students so they can continue their studies,” said CHED Chairman J. Prospero E. De Vera III.
“The timely government assistance to students in private higher education institutions (HEIs) through the Bayanihan 2 has complemented the efforts of the private higher education sector, particularly on innovation while also looking after the health and welfare of their students,” said Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations (COCOPEA) Managing Director Joseph Noel M. Estrada.
“We therefore manifest our appreciation, confidence and support to the Commission on Higher Education on its many endeavors not only for ensuring the continuity of education but also in laying down the plans in future-proofing quality higher education in the country with due recognition of the complementary role of the private sector,” he added.
“What is commendable is the inclusion of all private HEIs in the country and its timely distribution. It is my sincere belief that this partnership will be further strengthened in the years to come,” said St. Michael’s College of Laguna (SMCL) President and COCOPEA Chairperson Lourdes Almeda-Sese.
“SMCL received the check for its 53 students on 11 January 2021. Majority of these students have outstanding balances for the first semester, SY 2020-2021. The financial assistance you provided assured their continuity of studies and enrollment in the 2nd Semester,” she added.
“CHED thanks President Duterte, as well as the members of the Congress and the Senate, for listening to the plea of students during the COVID-19 pandemic and including an amelioration package for affected students, particularly in private universities and for helping our affected students continue their studies,” De Vera said
