House Deputy Majority Leader Janette Garin suggested using the raided Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) hubs as dormitories for students.

During the plenary deliberations of the 2025 General Approriations Bill (GAB) on Wednesday, Garin raised that among the problems being faced by the students is the high price of rental fees for dormitories.

“Actually ang isang pinaka challenging na gastusin ng isang estudyante ay ‘yung boarding house, ‘yung dormitory, especially so that this is mostly provided by the private sector and hindi nakokontrol ‘yung presyo, ‘yung bayarin,” the Iloilo First District Representative said.

“At the appropriate time, Madam Speaker, it’s not applicable all over the country, but for Region 3, napakaganda talaga na ‘yung mga POGO hub, na mga scam hub na na-discover ay makuha ng gobyerno at gawing extension campuses as well as dormitories ng ating karapat-dapat na estudyante,” the lawmaker added.

ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro agreed with the suggestion of Garin.

Citing a research titled “Enhancing Access and Success in SUCs,” the Iloilo lawmaker also mentioned that financial constraints is the top problem of the students.

Garin is the sponsor of the Commission on Higher Education for 2025 GAB.

The lady solon likewise pointed out that the proposed 2025 budget for CHED is not an expenditure but an investment in the future for the country.

“It is an investment in the future of our nation, and every peso allocated to higher education yields a return in the form of educated, skilled, and empowered citizens who will contribute to the country’s economic growth and social troubles.”

Meanwhile, the House is targeting to pass the 2025 GAB on the third and final reading by September 25. The plenary debates started last September 16.