DAVAO CITY, Oct. 23 -- A total of 753 students from Samal Island City College (SICC) received PHP10,000 each under the Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) program of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the Island Garden City of Samal (IGACOS) government announced Thursday.

The payout held on Wednesday forms part of Batch 15 of the TES program, a grant-in-aid initiative under Republic Act 10931 or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act.

It provides financial aid to eligible students enrolled in CHED-recognized public and private higher education institutions.

During the distribution, Mayor Lemuel Reyes urged students to remain focused and determined in their academic journey.

"Strive hard for you to reach your goal....