BUTUAN CITY – While national line agencies offer various educational grants and support programs in tertiary education, many families—especially those in geographically disadvantaged areas—remain unaware of the government programs and financial assistance initiatives available to them.
Ignited with the directive of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to strengthen the delivery of essential government services for Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) families and to prioritize education as a key driver in poverty reduction, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education (UniFAST) launched the education caravan “Project PEPA: Patuloy na Edukasyon, Patuloy na Pag-Ahon” to bring government education services closer to communities.
CHED Caraga – UniFAST, in collaboration with the Department of Education (DepEd), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and Agusan National High School (ANHS) in Butuan City, successfully held the first leg of Project PEPA on March 16, 2026 at the ANHS Grounds, Butuan City.
The education caravan aims to empower senior high school students and their families to make informed choices about their educational pathways, whether through college education, skills development, or vocational programs. Through on-site orientations and consultations, the initiative addresses persistent gaps in information dissemination among underserved sectors, particularly among 4Ps beneficiaries.
Moreover, the caravan will serve as an avenue to encourage 4Ps beneficiaries to pursue their chosen undergraduate degrees, as they will be given priority slots for the Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) starting Academic Year 2026–2027.
Around 700 graduating 4Ps students, together with their parents, actively participated in the caravan. Interactive booth exhibitions were also set up by TESDA, DOLE, partner higher education institutions, and other stakeholders, providing participants with consultations and assistance on scholarship applications, skills training registration, and career planning.
CHED Caraga Regional Director Dr. Nelia A. Alibin, together with TESDA Caraga Regional Director Florencio F. Sunico, Jr., and representatives from DepEd and DSWD, expressed their full support and commitment to improving access to education and skills development across the region.
For many participants, the caravan served not only as an information drive but also as a source of renewed hope:
“Dako kaayo ni nga tabang sa amo. Karon mas nasabtan na nako unsaon pagpadayon sa kolehiyo ug unsay mga tabang nga pwede namo ma-avail. Mas kampante na ko nga naa koy kaugmaon pinaagi sa pagpadayon sa pag eskwela,” shared Kristel Ariani Gulle, a 4Ps beneficiary and graduating senior high school student.
(“This is a big help for us. Now I better understand how I can continue to college and what support we can avail. I feel more confident that I have a future by continuing my studies.”)
“Nalipay mi nga naka apil mi sa caravan kay dako ni nga oportunidad para makab-ot namo ang gusto nga makahuman sa pg skwela ug makatabang para sa among pamilya,” expressed Arlen Tindugan, another 4Ps student beneficiary of Agusan NHS.
(“We are grateful for being able to join this caravan because this is a huge opportunity for me to finish my studies and eventually help my family.”)
As Project PEPA moves forward, a series of education caravans will be rolled out across all provinces in the region, ensuring that no 4Ps beneficiary is left uninformed and that every student is given equal access to government-funded education and training opportunities.
CHED, together with its partner agencies, will continue to provide hands-on support to guide students from information to actual enrollment—bridging the gap between opportunity and access.
This initiative is made possible through the leadership and steadfast support of CHED Chairperson Dr. Shirley C. Agrupis and UniFAST Executive Director, Atty. Septon A. De la Cruz, CESO III, whose commitment to inclusive education continues to open doors and shape brighter futures for students across the nation.
With Project PEPA, education is no longer a distant possibility—but a pathway within reach for every 4Ps learner.