University of the Philippines President Angelo Jimenez (C) discusses the 10 Flagship Programs of the university with a group of journalists on the occasion of its 116th Foundation Day on Tuesday. Fernando G. Sepe Jr., ABS-CBN News

MANILA — At least 350 passers of the University of the Philippines College Admission Test (UPCAT) who come from remote and disadvantaged areas will be given “full educational support” by the university this upcoming academic year.

University of the Philippines (UP) President Angelo Jimenez said this is part of UP’s new policy of “inclusive admissions” under his 10 Flagship Programs.

The program will provide full subsidy for housing or accommodation, food, communication allowance, transportation allowance, school supplies, equipment and materials support, among others.

Jimenez noted that in the recent UPCAT, 40% of around 1,500 students from geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas who passed the test did not proceed to enrollment due to financial difficulty.

This year, the university identified UPCAT passers who belong to the low family income bracket, or those whose annual gross family income is around P135,000 or below, to be the first beneficiaries of the program.

“We have targeted 350 plus [students] at kakaunti lang ang sa Diliman at Los Baños [campuses]. Karamihan diyan na-locate natin sa Mindanao, sa Tacloban, Cebu, sa Visayas,” Jimenez told reporters.

“Kasi every UP student na andoon, hopefully could go back there and serve their communities,” he added.

UP has allocated a budget of P50 million this year and the university plans to expand the program through the help of its alumni.

“We are trying to make sure na ma-sustain siya but not only that, mage-expand pa ito,” he said.

“That is why as of the moment right now, we are mobilizing the alumni as well. Matagal nang nagbibigay ang alumni. They are very enthusiastic and very excited,” he added.

Also included in the university’s flagship programs are academic excellence, research and innovation, open distance e-Learning (ODeL), Archipelagic and Oceanic Virtual University (AOVU), arts and culture, active and collaborative partnerships, expansion of public services offices, digital transformation and quality management system (QMS) and quality assurance (QA).