Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) senatorial candidate Win Gatchalian welcomed Partido Galing at Puso presidential frontrunner Grace Poe’s support for his proposed full subsidy of tuition fees in state universities and colleges (SUCs)—the gemstone of his legislative agenda if elected into office.

“We wholeheartedly thank our presidential candidate, Sen. Grace Poe, for supporting what we have been pushing for: free higher education for all Filipinos, especially those from indigent households who deserve to be given a fighting chance in life to improve their social mobility and lift their families from poverty. Rest assured that we will continue fighting for this significant educational reform in the Senate,” said Gatchalian, who currently serves as a majority member of the House committee on higher and technical education.

Poe expressed her support for Gatchalian’s proposed measure at the Partido Galing at Puso’s campaign rally in Cabanatuan City on Friday, saying: “Importante rin ang ating mga kabataan. Para sa amin ni Senator Chiz, importante na ang ating mga state universities at colleges ay libre na para sa ating mga estudyante.”

“With Senator Poe’s support, I am confident that we will be able to make free college education a reality when the next administration takes office later this year. One of her policies focus on youth empowerment, and securing universal access to college education is one of the best ways to accomplish this,” added Gatchalian.

“Under a Grace Poe presidency, everyone will benefit from economic growth; no one will be left behind,” he added.

Gatchalian is the author of House Bill No. 5905, to be known the “Free Higher Education Act”, which would establish a full tuition subsidy for the approximately 1.5 million students enrolled in SUCs.

The bill was approved at the committee level last August.

Gatchalian remains firmly committed to passing this bill if elected to the Senate.

“The fight for universal access to higher education is far from over. As long as millions of deserving but underprivileged Filipinos are deprived of their constitutionally mandated right to a college education, I will work with Senator Poe and other education advocates to secure this fundamental right for the youth,” said Gatchalian. (Monica Cantilero)