SENATOR Pia Cayetano reaffirmed her unwavering commitment to higher education as she chaired the budget hearing for the Commission on Higher Education, State Universities and Colleges, and the University of the Philippines System for Fiscal Year 2025.

This marks the Senator’s sixth consecutive year of advocating for increased funding for tertiary education institutions.

“With the support of our former Senate Finance Committee Chair, now Education Secretary Sonny Angara, we’ve managed to secure an annual increase in the budget of SUCs, with fiscal year 2024 marking the biggest budget allocation yet,” she stated.

Cayetano emphasized that for the 2025 budget, her goal is to increase the SUCs budget from the National Expenditure Program to at least match the 2024 General Appropriations Act level, with the support of current Finance Chairperson Senator Grace Poe.

“This investment in our SUCs is an investment in our nation’s future, empowering the next generation of leaders and innovators,” Cayetano stressed.

The senator underscored the importance of access to quality higher education and lifelong learning as essential factors in unlocking the country’s potential and creating opportunities for its citizens.

She reiterated her commitment to achieving inclusive, equitable, and universal quality education through continued investment in the education system and its agencies.

For Fiscal Year 2025, CHED has a proposed budget of P30.1 billion; SUCs, including UP, at P113.7 billion; and the UP System at P22.3 billion.