Romualdez launches ISIP for Youth in Iloilo City

MANILA, Philippines – A new social service program, the Integrated Scholarships and Incentives Program (ISIP) for the Youth, was launched in Iloilo City on Saturday. This initiative, led by Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez and mandated by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., aims to support financially disadvantaged students throughout the Philippines.

The program was pilot-launched at the West Visayas State University Cultural Center in Iloilo City.

“Sa utos ng ating mahal na Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. at sa pakikipagtulungan ng iba’t ibang ahensya ng gobyerno, inilunsad natin ang ISIP para sa Kabataan,”  Romualdez said in his keynote speech.

He emphasized the goal of assisting eligible students who lack funds to continue their education.

ISIP, a financial assistance initiative, targets high school, Alternative Learning System, tertiary, and vocational education students.

“This initiative is in collaboration with several government agencies to assist disadvantaged but deserving students facing financial challenges in pursuing their studies,” Romualdez added, highlighting the program’s contribution to nation-building.

In Iloilo province alone, 2,000 students under the ISIP will receive P2,000 every six months through the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS). This aid is intended to help cover tuition and other education-related expenses.

Additionally, these students are beneficiaries of the Tulong Dunong program of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), providing P15,000 per year, which they will receive in January of the following year.

A notable feature of ISIP is the guarantee of slots for graduates under the Government Internship Program (GIP), and the enrollment of their parents or guardians in the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) Program of the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE). This holistic approach aims to benefit both the students and their families.

“This is to ensure that these students will eventually become our partners in nation-building. Nakakagana pong mag-aral pag alam mong may internship ka sa gobyerno pagka-graduate mo,” said Romualdez.

ISIP for the Youth is a convergence project involving multiple government agencies, including DSWD, DoLE, CHED, and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).