Nine graduates of the Expanded Students’ Grants-in-Aid Program for Poverty Alleviation (ESGP-PA) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office 1 (DSWD FO1) are now Licensed Teachers based on the result of the Licensure Examination for Teachers held March 2017.

From this number, three are from the Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University (DMMMSU) in La Union, two each from the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) in Ilocos Norte and the University of Northern Philippines (UNP) in Ilocos Sur, and one each from the Ilocos Sur Polytechinic State College (ISPSC) and Pangasinan State University (PSU).

The passers are as follows: (Ilocos Norte) Jessa Mae Doctolero from Solsona and Cassandra Subaste from Laoag City; (Ilocos Sur) Jemeline Mandac from Vigan City,  Rojhan Rodillas from San Ildefonso, and Joy Ragunton from Narvacan; (La Union) Florida Maging from Santol and Abegail Hipol from the City of San Fernando; and (Pangasinan) Giovani Duran from Mabini.

The ESGP-PA aims to address poverty by increasing the number of graduates in higher education among poor households and let these graduates be employed in high-value added occupations to lift their families out of poverty at the same time contribute to national development.

ESGP-PA prioritizes deserving Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries who excel academically as a support to pursue and finish education in preparation for a stable job in the future. (by: Jaesem Ryan A. Gaces, Information Officer II/Pantawid Pamilya with reports from Arlem Kenneth R. Areola, ESGP-PA Focal)