More than 5 million unique beneficiaries have benefited from the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act (RA 10931), or the Free Higher Education Law, since its implementation in 2018, Senate President Win Gatchalian said.
Based on estimates by Gatchalian’s office, the beneficiaries include 4.070 million of the Free Higher Education Program and 1.406 million of the Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES), or a total of 5.476 million beneficiaries from 2018 to Academic Year (AY) 2025-2026.
The bicameral conference committee report on the proposed amendments to the Free HigherEducation Law, which has been ratified by both Houses, is now ready for enrollment.
Gatchalian noted that the 2026 national budget supports State Universities and Colleges’ (SUCs) efforts to address enrollment capacity constraints. He previously cited that at least 168,493 qualified students were denied admission.
During Gatchalian’s stint as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, the Senate increased SUCs’ funding by P6.3 billion, P5.2 billion of which was sought by Gatchalian’s office to help address enrollment capacity constraints.
“Makakaasa po ang ating mga SUCs na patuloy natin silang susuportahan upang maabot pa natin ang mas maraming mag-aaral at makapaghatid tayo ng dekalidad na edukasyon,” said Gatchalian.
Gatchalian: Mga Benepisyaryo ng Libreng Kolehiyo Lagpas na sa 5 Milyon
Mula nang ipatupad ang Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act (RA 10931) o ang Free Higher Education Law, mahigit 5 milyong ‘unique beneficiaries’ o mga indibidwal na benepisyaryo na ang nakinabang sa naturang batas ayon kay Senate President Win Gatchalian.
Tinataya ng tanggapan ni Gatchalian na kabilang sa mga benepisyaryo ang 4.070 milyong nakinabang sa Free Higher Education Program. Samantala, 1.406 milyon naman ang tinatayang naging benepisyaryo ng Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES). Sa kabuuan, umabot na sa 5.476 milyong benepisyaryo ang naitala mula 2018 hanggang Academic Year (AY) 2025–2026.
Ang ulat ng Bicameral Conference Committee hinggil sa mga panukalang amyenda sa Free Higher Education Law, na pinagtibay na ng dalawang Kapulungan ng Kongreso, ay handa na para sa enrollment.
Binigyang-diin ni Gatchalian na sinusuportahan ng 2026 national budget ang mga pagsisikap ng State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) na tugunan ang mga limitasyon sa kanilang kapasidad. Noong nakaraang taon, pinuna ng senador na hindi nakapag-enroll ang hindi bababa sa 168,493 na mga kwalipikadong mag-aaral.
Noong nanungkulan si Gatchalian bilang Chairman ng Senate Committee on Finance, dinagdagan ng Senado ng P6.3 bilyon para sa taong ito ang pondo ng SUCs at P5.2 bilyon sa naturang pigura ay para sa pagtugon sa limitasyon ng enrollment capacity.
“Makakaasa po ang ating mga SUCs na patuloy natin silang susuportahan upang maabot pa natin ang mas maraming mga mag-aaral at makapaghatid tayo ng dekalidad na edukasyon,” pahayag ni Gatchalian.
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Photo by Mark Cayabyab / OS WIN GATCHALIAN
