The BAGUIO City Council has requested the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to speed up the release of educational benefits for the families of the 44 Special Action Force (SAF) who were killed in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, in January.
The council’s Committee on Education, Culture and Historical Research chaired by Councilor Peter Fianza requested CHED chairperson Dr. Patricia Licuanan for college scholarships through the program, “Tulong-Dunong,” which provides amount of P12,000 each under the Student Financial Assistance Program (STUFAP).
Applications may be filed with CHED regional offices, for transmittal to the central office. As of May 28, eight beneficiaries from the Cordillera Administrative Region have complied, with a ninth applicant following suit recently. An enrolment form and certificate of enrolment to the school of choice are required as the amount will be reimbursed.
The financial assistance is in addition to those provided and administered by the National Police Commission, the committee stated in the report.
Fourteen of the slain police commandoes were from Cordillera. Most of them were breadwinners, with their families now needing financial and educational assistance.
The city government handed over its own financial assistance to the families of the Cordillerans in the elite police group during the Araw ng Kagitingan rites last April 9. Julie Fianza