KABATAAN Party-list Representative Raoul Manuel filed a measure that seeks to promote a comprehensive free public tertiary education.

House Bill 1151 or the proposed Adequate and Accessible University Services Law seeks to provide quality, adequate and accessible university services including housing, health services and student meals in State Universities and Colleges.

In his explanatory note, Manuel stressed that the State must always be concerned with the development of the students’ intellectual capacity and achievement, vocational aptitudes and skills, moral and religious values, economic resources and aesthetics appreciations.

“These are the basic tenets of helping students reach their full potential and attending to them as human beings — not simply those in need of intellectual training,” Manuel said.

Under the measure, all enrolled students and academic and non-academic personnel of SUCs shall be entitled to free health services in school health facilities.

They are also entitled to free and healthy breakfast, lunch and dinner in school canteens or cafeterias.

The bill also mandates all universities and colleges to provide accommodation to students and academic support personnel during their stay in school.