THE KABATAAN Partylist marked the opening of the 20th Congress with a bold legislative push, filing ten priority measures that place education at the forefront of its youth-centered agenda.

Among these is the Delivery of Accessible Services in Universities (DASURV) Bill, a landmark proposal aimed at delivering truly comprehensive free education for all.

The DASURV Bill seeks to expand the scope of free higher education beyond tuition by covering essential costs that continue to burden students—such as housing, health services, and food.

Kabataan Partylist Representative Atty. Renee Co emphasized that despite existing free tuition laws, many Filipino students still face significant financial challenges.

“The DASURV Bill is our answer to the continuing financial burdens that prevent Filipino youth from accessing quality higher education. Free education isn’t real if students and their families are still paying for dorms, food, and health care,” said Co.

The DASURV Bill complements the Students’ Rights and Welfare (STRAW) Bill, which protects democratic and academic freedoms within all educational institutions. Together, these measures represent a holistic approach to ensuring students not only access education but thrive in it.

Alongside education-focused bills, Kabataan also filed measures addressing economic inequality and human rights.

These include the Presyo Ibaba and Sahod Itaas Bills, which propose price controls and a ₱1,200 daily living wage, respectively; the Anti-Red-Tagging and Human Rights Defenders Bills, which seek to protect activists from harassment; and proposed amendments to the Anti-EVAWC and Anti-Rape Laws to better safeguard women and children. The partylist also refiled the SOGIESC Equality Bill, aiming to finally establish anti-discrimination protections for the LGBTQIA+ community.