USM-ESO Mentors CotSU toward Excellence in Extension Services
February 18, 2026
A total of ₱2.5 million was awarded to 100 University of Southern Mindanao (USM) students from the Nestlé Philippines Kape’t Bisig Educational Assistance Program during an orientation held on Thursday, February 12, 2026, at the University Commercial Building, USM, Kabacan, Cotabato.
Each beneficiary receives ₱25,000 as a one-time grant intended to support academic expenses, particularly for thesis completion. The recipients are composed of third-year and fourth-year students from the College of Agriculture (CA) and the College of Business, Development Economics, and Management (CBDEM) who are currently working on their thesis.
The selection process follows a tiered prioritization system. First priority is given to students whose parents are coffee farmers. If the 100 slots are not filled, second priority is extended to students whose parents are farmers. The remaining slots are allocated to students enrolled in priority courses identified by Nestlé.
The orientation provided an overview of the program’s objectives and guidelines, ensuring that grantees understand the requirements and expectations in exchange for the financial assistance.
In an interview, Dr. Shandra Gonsang of the Office of Student Affairs emphasized that the assistance offers meaningful financial relief to students at a crucial stage in their academic journey. She explained that the one-time ₱25,000 grant helps ease the financial burden associated with thesis writing, which often involves various costs, including research materials and fieldwork expenses.
Present at the event was Mr. Donnel Jun Tiedra, Corporate Affairs Executive of Nestlé Philippines, Inc., who reiterated the company’s commitment to supporting education and empowering communities linked to agriculture, particularly coffee farming families. Tiedra shared that Nestlé’s Kape’t Bisig Program reflects the company’s long-term vision of uplifting communities while promoting sustainable agricultural practices.
Tiedra also revealed that three previous grantees of the Kape’t Bisig Program from USM are now official endorsers of Nestlé, appearing in the company’s television and radio advertisements. He mentioned that some of the current grantees may have similar opportunities in the future, potentially becoming brand ambassadors and further promoting Nestlé’s coffee products.
The grant is given only once to each student. In return, grantees are told to formally acknowledge Nestlé in their thesis and promote Nestlé products, especially coffee, on their social media platforms.
Through the Kape’t Bisig Educational Assistance Program, Nestlé Philippines continues to strengthen its partnership with academic institutions while providing support to farming communities and nurturing future professionals.
