At least 278 students from various state colleges and universities in Palawan received financial assistance under the Student Monetary Assistance for Recovery and Transition (SMART) program during a distribution event held at Western Philippines University (WPU) on January 24, 2025.
The Commission on Higher Education (CHED), through its MIMAROPA Regional Office led by Regional Director Prof. Edna Imelda Fernandez-Legazpi, facilitated the release of one-time grants worth ₱25,000 to each beneficiary. The initiative was carried out in collaboration with the Palawan 3rd District Caretaker Office and with support from House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
The SMART program, conceptualized during the COVID-19 pandemic, was designed to ease the financial burden on students pursuing higher education. Beneficiaries from Palawan State University (PalSU), WPU, Fullbright College, Palawan Polytechnic College Inc. (PPCI), and Palawan Technological College Inc. (PTCI) expressed gratitude for the assistance.
According to CHED, the program’s primary goal is to ensure that students have sufficient resources to cover educational expenses and other necessities as they navigate the challenges of academic life post-pandemic.
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