TACLOBAN CITY – Tingog party-list Representative Jude Acidre, chair of the House committee on higher and technical education, welcomed Congress’ commitment to fully cover the P12.31-billion shortfall in the Free Higher Education Program under Republic Act 10931 or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act.
The funding gap, raised by state universities and colleges (SUCs) during budget consultations, stemmed from the continued use of prior-year enrollment figures instead of projected enrollment as mandated by law. This has forced many SUCs to cut or defer essential programs.
Acidre pushed House leaders to address the issue, resulting in a commitment announced during the sponsorship of the FY 2026 General Appropriations Bill. Of the shortfall, P7.82 billion will come from the higher education development fund of the Commission on Higher Education and P4.49 billion from the General Appropriations Act.
Congress also pledged over P9 billion in additional funding for the Tertiary Education Subsidy and other student aid programs.
Acidre hailed the move as a “victory for SUCs and students” but stressed the need for reforms to ensure sustainability, including strict use of projected enrollment figures and a mid-year adjustment mechanism when actual enrollment exceeds projections.
“Free higher education under RA 10931 must remain reliable and sustainable for the millions of Filipino students who depend on it,” Acidre said.
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
