“Isang araw maka-aangat din kami sa buhay,” expressed Arnel Sumaylo, 20 years old, from Sitio Matabawan, Cantuhaon, Palompon, Leyte.

Arnel concluded his degree on Bachelor of Secondary Education Major in English at Palompon Institute of Technology as Cum Laude last March 20, 2018.

He is one of the around 1,001 Expanded Students Grant-in-Aide Program for Poverty Alleviation (ESGP-PA) grantees in Eastern Visayas who graduated as of April 1, 2018.

Second among three children of Pedro, a fisherman, and housewife Ma. Victoria, Arnel dreams to give his family a better life than what they have now.

He has learned then to value education so much, keeping in his heart the thought that education changes lives and this is indeed the solution to poverty.

Apparently, challenges in life are always inevitable. As student, sometimes he encounter some financial problems and other times, it was difficult for him catching up with their lessons. But seeing his parents strive hard for them, he studied even harder.

Arnel added that he was lucky enough to be a grantee of the ESGP-PA for this served as his ladder to succeed in college and start realizing his life’s goals.

“Ang pagtatapos ko ang pinakamalaking biyaya na aking natanggap,” Arnel shared.

For him, graduating in college feels like a day closer to realizing his aspiration of getting a stable job so he can help the family rise out of poverty and contribute to community development.

“Mahirap lang kami and I never expect that I can proceed to college. But through the government, I was given the very significant opportunity to graduate, even with flying colors. Kaya naman ang mga oportunidad na dumarating sa ating buhay ay hindi natin dapat sayangin.”

The ESGPPA is implemented by the Commission on Higher Education together with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) through the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and State Universities and Colleges (SUCs).

“Let us continue to invest in the future by investing in our children,” said DSWD Field Office VIII Regional Director Restituto Macuto. #DSWDMayMalasakit