State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) stand to gain a proposed P8.6 billion for infrastructure upgrades that would significantly expand their capacity to admit more qualified students, Senator Win Gatchalian said.  

The lawmaker earlier flagged that because of SUCs’ capacity issues, at least 168,493 students were denied admission despite being qualified. The senator’s office reviewed data from 62 out of 115 SUCs and found that 32 (52%) of them exceeded their capacities. Eleven (18%) of these SUCs reached 100% of their capacity.

“Sa ilalim ng naturang pondo, mas bibilis ang pagtatayo ng mga silid-aralan at iba pang mga pasilidad upang mas marami pang kabataang Pilipino ang mabigyan ng pagkakataong makapasok sa kolehiyo,” said Gatchalian, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance.

“Layunin nating palawakin hindi lang ang mga gusali, kundi pati ang mga pangarap ng bawat estudyanteng nagnanais magkaroon ng mas magandang kinabukasan,” he added.   

During the budget briefing of the proposed 2026 budget, Gatchalian urged SUCs to focus on increasing their academic capacities, which entails the construction of more classrooms and other facilities. 

Photo by Mark Cayabyab / OS GATCHALIAN