A TOTAL OF 875 college students from the Third District of Negros Occidental have passed the requirements to qualify as recipients of the Commission on Higher Education’s (Ched) Tulong Dunong program for the first semester of the school year 2018-2019.

Lagrimas Silvestre, head of the programs and services group of the District Office of Congressman Alfredo Benitez, said these recipients, known as Metro 3rd Skolars, are enrolled in various courses in public and private colleges and universities in the province.

The office of Benitez conducted separate orientation sessions in Talisay and Silay on July 15, in E.B. Magalona and Victorias on July 22 and in Murcia on July 29. This is for the students who submitted requirements as both old and new beneficiaries of the educational assistance program.

The sessions also provided an opportunity for the beneficiaries to air concerns and problems encountered in their respective schools.

The educational assistance program facilitated by the office of Benitez in partnership with Ched started in 2010 during the solon’s first term of office.

To date, more than 6,000 students have benefited from the program and are now gainfully employed. (PR)