The
two-day SGPPA Congress was meant to be a long vacation for the SGPPA Grantees
from the bulk and pressure of their academic requirements and a moment of
pausing from thoughts of teachers and lessons. The Congress cum SGP-PA
Consultation and Meeting was held at Eden Nature Park and Resort in Toril, Davao City last July 30 -August 1, 2014
with the theme: “Madasigong Kabataan alang sa Madaugon nga Kaugmaon”. The event
was highly participated by the SGP-PA grantees in different State Universities
and Colleges (SUC’s) together with the partner agencies: Commission in Higher
Education (CHED), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of
Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino
Program (4P’s). The congress aimed to identify issues, gaps and concerns among
beneficiaries, formulate policies and guidelines for better implementation of
the program and lastly, the draft a strategic plan concerning the issues.
Dr.
Raul C. Alvarez Jr., Regional Director of CHED XI, opened the program and
generously gave his words of wisdom to the grantees. In the afternoon sessions,
SGP-PA grantees showed their prowess and abilities in brainstorming
suggestions, opinions and recommendations for SGPPA issues discussed in the
group forum. After the intense educational debate, breath taking performances during
the “Solidarity Night” among SUC’s grantees put the venue down.
The
next day, the tour around Eden Nature Park and Resort made the grantees held
their breath. All participants were amazed with the beauty of nature and
considered the experience as one of a kind. “I am so happy that I was chosen to
represent DNSC. Experience such as this is worth remembering and made me
realize how special is SGPPA to CHED.”, said of one of the DNSC participants of
the congress.
(Danica Sangilan, 2nd Yr SGP-PA).
