ANTIQUE – College students from marginalized and vulnerable sectors will be given priority under the educational assistance program of the Provincial Government of Antique following the introduction of new guidelines presented by the Office of the Provincial Youth Development Officer (OPYDO).
A total of 10,500 undergraduate students are expected to benefit from the program this school year, with each receiving P6,000 in financial assistance. The initiative has a total budget allocation of P63 million.
Gov. Paolo Javier said the program aims to ensure that students from disadvantaged families are given greater opportunities to pursue higher education.
“Through this program, we want to make sure that students from marginalized families are given the support they need to continue their education and achieve their goals,” Javier said.
He clarified, however, that students who are not part of the identified priority sectors may still be accommodated depending on the availability of slots.
The OPYDO presented the proposed guidelines for the program’s implementation during the 9th Regular Session of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Antique on Monday, together with Karmila Rose Dimamay, chairperson of the committee on education.
Under the new guidelines, priority will be given to undergraduate students belonging to the following sectors: children of registered solo parents, persons with disabilities (PWDs), children of sacadas or migrant sugar workers, students from geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDA), Indigenous Peoples (IP), and graduating students undergoing on-the-job training (OJT).
The OPYDO will conduct strict screening and verification of documents to ensure that assistance reaches qualified beneficiaries. Solo Parent and PWD identification cards will be validated, while sacadas must be registered with the Department of Labor and Employment.
Students from geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas—now referred to as Unserved and Underserved Areas—must secure certification from the Department of Health, while Indigenous Peoples applicants will need certification from the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples.
As in previous years, students who are already receiving scholarships or educational assistance from national or local government programs will not be eligible for the provincial program.
The OPYDO will also modify the application process by conducting application activities directly in colleges and universities in coordination with school administrations.
Graduate school students will not yet be included in the program as the office has yet to secure a budget for such assistance.
The OPYDO estimates that around 35,000 undergraduate students from Antique are currently enrolled in state and private colleges and universities.
However, only 10,500 students will be accommodated this year due to budget constraints.
For School Year 2024–2025, the provincial government allocated P206 million for the program, with each beneficiary receiving P10,000.
A portion of the previous funding came from the province’s share from the National Wealth Share.
Antique received more than P96.68 million in National Wealth Share in 2025, a significant decrease from P1.056 billion in 2024 and P1.139 billion in 2023.
Of the 2025 amount, only P19.33 million may be used for development programs such as scholarships, as mandated by law.
Dimamay said that during consultations with Javier, the governor opted to allocate the P19.33 million to purchase medical equipment, supplies, and medicines for provincial government-run hospitals.
Javier said the move aims to help achieve a zero-billing policy in all provincial government-owned hospitals by 2026./PN
