Bicol: The Commission on Higher Education (CHED), through the Unified Financial Assistance for Tertiary Education (UniFAST) in Bicol, has launched scholarship opportunities for more than 40,000 beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps). This initiative, titled "Patuloy na Edukasyon, Patuloy na Pag-ahon" (PEPA), is an educational caravan aimed at reaching students across the region, officials announced Thursday.

According to Philippines News Agency, Emmanuel Villamor, CHED-UniFAST lead regional coordinator in Bicol, emphasized that the initiative is a collaborative effort involving the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and the Department of Education (DepEd), in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). The goal is to assist senior high school graduating students in selecting the most suitable academic or technical-vocational track based on their interests and capabilities.

Villamor explained that the caravan provides students with essential information to help them decide between pursuing a technical-vocational program or a four-year college course. So far, the caravan has been held in Catanduanes and Masbate, and recently in Daraga. Future events are scheduled for Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, and Sorsogon.

Cyrus Luis Magallanes, a Grade 12 student, attended the caravan to explore potential scholarship opportunities for his college education. He expressed his interest in studying for a Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology as a pathway to securing future employment.

Maria Lourdes Galit, the parent of a Grade 12 student with a disability, expressed her appreciation for the program. She noted that it provides her child with the opportunity to pursue higher education despite financial challenges, even if the cash grant from the 4Ps is lost.

Project PEPA is designed as an informational resource for Grade 12 students, aiming to empower them to make informed educational choices, enhance their prospects for higher education, and promote inclusive access to education.