In response to the rising cost of daily expenses and the challenges faced by students, PHINMA University of Iloilo (PHINMA UI) reinforces its commitment to “making lives better through education” by expanding its Student Support Programs.
The enhanced programs are part of the “Kaupod sa Pagpadayon” campaign, a university-wide initiative that encourages students to continue and complete their college education despite economic and social challenges.
As part of this campaign, PHINMA UI recently signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Department of Social Welfare and Development Region VI (DSWD-VI) to strengthen the Hawak Kamay Scholarship Program, which is specifically designed for incoming first-year students from 4Ps beneficiary families. Under this partnership, eligible students will receive up to 80% scholarship grants, providing crucial financial support for their education.
“The Hawak Kamay Scholarship is our way of ensuring that deserving students can continue their studies without being hindered by financial difficulties,” said Martin Benedict Perez, PHINMA UI Chief Operating Officer. “Through this initiative, we hope to empower students to focus on learning while we help address their challenges.”
Present during the event was DSWD-VI Asst. Regional Director for Operations Katherine Lamprea, who represented DSWD-VI Regional Director Joselito Estember during the Ceremonial Memorandum of Agreement Signing. She expressed strong support for the program, highlighting the tangible benefits it provides to 4Ps beneficiaries and their families.
Providing the right support
For the upcoming Academic Year, PHINMA UI is intensifying efforts to support students’ daily needs through several key initiatives.
To address the students’ need for safe, accessible, and affordable spaces, especially those who originally came from outside Iloilo City, PHINMA UI has partnered with boarding houses near the university to provide discounted rates for PHINMA UI students.
With the rising prices of transportation, PHINMA UI is also piloting its Transportation Allowance Program, wherein 200 students will be initially selected to ease the burden of commuting.
Meanwhile, working students can now continue their education without sacrificing income, with evening programs available for Hospitality Management, Tourism Management, Education, and Business Administration students.
Quality education made affordable
Aside from the Hawak Kamay Scholarship, PHINMA UI provides flexible financial schemes, interest-free student loans, and flexible payment terms to make college more accessible. Additionally, the university has lowered its all-in fees for the incoming Academic Year, the lowest among private universities in Iloilo, to ensure that no student is left behind.
“Lowering our costs does not compromise the quality of our education. PHINMA UI continues to deliver excellent results, as seen in our recognition as the Top 1 Criminology School in the Philippines in the February 2026 Criminology Licensure Examination,” Perez added.
Other than Criminology, PHINMA UI also maintains high board passing rates across other programs, including Education, Nursing, Psychology, Pharmacy, Accountancy, and Engineering, producing hundreds of board passers since 2009.
With these initiatives, PHINMA UI remains steadfast in supporting its students not just academically, but financially, ensuring that education remains a pathway to opportunity even in uncertain times. (End)
