By: Mervhi Lynne B. Lucio

The University of the Cordilleras (UC), through the Student Affairs Services–Student Development and Welfare Center (SAS-SDWC), hosted a general orientation for the newest batch of Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) beneficiaries on March 31, 2026, at the UC Gymnasium.

The event, organized in collaboration with the Commission on Higher Education – Cordillera Administrative Region (CHED-CAR) UniFAST Unit, saw the attendance of 1, 059 students. These attendees represent a significant portion of UC’s “Batch 1.1” TES grantees, which totals 1,498 beneficiaries for the current cycle.

The orientation served as a vital roadmap for the students, ensuring they understand the mechanics of the government-funded financial assistance program. Ms. Mervhi Lucio, UC’s UniFAST Focal Person, opened the session with an overview of the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act (UAQTEA), highlighting how the TES program functions as a pillar of support for Filipino students.

One of the Regional Coordinator from CHED-CAR, led by Ms. Marife B. Calimodag, discussed the essential roles and responsibilities of the grantees. The session covered critical topics, including the criteria for maintaining the grant and the specific grounds for termination that students must be mindful of to ensure uninterrupted support until the completion of their degree programs.

Recognizing the importance of financial transparency, UC’s Accounting department, represented by Ms. Gemma Malagayo, provided a detailed walkthrough of the payroll procedures and the internal processing of stipends. The morning concluded with a formal signing of the TES Sharing Agreements, marking the students’ official entry into the program.

The success of the event was underscored by the presence of key university officials, including Dr. Rhodora A. Ngolob, Vice President for Administration and Student Services; Ms. Jyka Reego S. Hipona, University Registrar; and Ms. Lea Angelique Y. Tugano, Career and Alumni Connections Center Officer.