‘Pork’ scholars don’t get full tuition, says CHEd

Western Samar Rep. Mel Senen Sarmiento (in photo) has expressed concern about the fate of students receiving financial support from congressmen’s Priority Development Assistance Fund, whose release has been stopped by the Supreme Court’s temporary restraining order. PHOTO FROM CONGRESS.GOV.PH. Photo from https://www.congress.gov.ph

MANILA, Philippines—The so-called “pork barrel” college scholars do not get a full tuition subsidy from their congressional sponsors but only some form of financial assistance, according to the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd).

The assistance ranges from P2,000 to P5,000 for every student for every semester, and the amount is even released in tranches, it was learned.

With enrollment for the second semester about to begin next month, the CHEd is checking its data on just how many college students are currently supported by the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), or the congressional pork barrel.

A check with the CHEd showed that the data of actual pork barrel scholars are not that readily available as the amount of PDAF support and the master list of scholars submitted (only through hard copy) by the sponsoring legislator to the CHEd regional office concerned varies every semester.