TACLOBAN CITY — Around 8,000 students in Eastern Samar are expected to benefit from the Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) program of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), providing financial support to qualified students enrolled in public and private higher education institutions in the province.
CHED Regional Director Maximo Aljibe announced the projected number of beneficiaries during the 2026 Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education (UniFAST)-TES Congress held at the provincial capitol gymnasium in Borongan City.
About 2,800 TES beneficiaries from the Eastern Samar State University (ESSU) system and private higher education institutions in the province attended the congress, which provided updates on the 2026 TES guidelines and other government education assistance programs.
The activity also included discussions on financial literacy and the opening of PISO accounts with the Land Bank of the Philippines, through which beneficiaries can receive their financial assistance.
Aljibe said TES is one of the four major programs under Republic Act No. 10931, or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act. The other programs are Free Higher Education (FHE), the Tulong Dunong Program (TDP), and Free Technical-Vocational Education and Training (FTEVT).
Under TES, qualified students enrolled initate universities and colleges and CHED-recognized local universities and colleges may receive P20,000 per academic year, while qualified students in private higher education institutions may receive P27,000 per academic year.
Additional assistance is also available to qualified students with disabilities and those taking board or licensure examinations.
Meanwhile, the TDP provides qualified beneficiaries with up to P7,500 per regular semester, while FTEVT covers tuition and other school fees, training support, instructional materials, uniform allowance, accident insurance and other related expenses.
Eastern Samar Gov. Ralph Vincent Evardone urged students to use the subsidies wisely, particularly for their educational needs, and to make the most of the opportunities provided through government assistance.
Representatives from UniFAST and the Land Bank of the Philippines attended the congress, along with ESSU President Andres C. Pagatpatan Jr., local government officials, school representatives and student beneficiaries.
The activity forms part of the government’s continuing efforts to expand access to higher education and provide financial assistance to qualified Filipino students.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
