SENATOR Bam Aquino is pushing for sufficient funding for around 2.27 million students in State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) in 2026, urging the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and SUCs to align enrollment projections with budget allocations under the 2026 national budget and future appropriations.

Aquino made the appeal during the SUCs’ budget hearing after the Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges reported that the current 1.97 million SUC enrollees are projected to increase by 300,000 in 2026.

However, DBM figures fell short of these projections, leaving an estimated ₱3.29-billion funding gap for 2026.

“For the 2026 budget, we have to agree. Iyong projection at iyong budget na ibibigay dapat tumutugma siya,” Aquino said, stressing the need to ensure that enrollment projections per SUC and the corresponding Free Higher Education (FHE) funding are aligned.

“Moving forward, iyong projections per SUC at iyong kaakibat na FHE funding should match para walang sisihan. Huwag tayong pumayag na bababa iyong enrollment. Dapat pataas iyong enrollment because that’s really where we want to go,” emphasized Aquino, chairperson of the Committee on Basic Education and principal sponsor of the Free College Law, or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act.

“Itong deficiency na ito, we want to see this gap closed,” he said, adding that the Committee on Finance, chaired by Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, is amenable to bridging the shortfall.

At the same time, Aquino assured SUCs that the committee will work to restore the ₱12.3-billion budget deficit and provide sufficient funding in the 2026 budget for capital outlay, maintenance and other operating expenses, and personal services.

“We will do our best to make sure na mapondohan po kayo—iyong deficiencies na matagal na rin nasabi sa akin, iyong kakulangan sa tulong sa ating mga eskwelahan at iyong suporta na diretso sa ating mga estudyante. We will do our best to restore those amounts and increase them para mas marami pa pong matulungan,” he said.

“Kami po dito, from the first day, marami po sa amin, and of course supported by Chairman Gatchalian, sinabi na po namin: itong flood control kung tatanggalin natin, dapat pumunta sa edukasyon. We will make sure that support goes to basic and higher education,” he added.

Aquino also lauded SUCs for their vital role in uplifting families and communities through education. He recalled that during the campaign, many students and parents shared how SUCs helped them achieve their dreams and finish their chosen courses.

“Nakita ko po iyon sa mga buwan ng aming pangangampanya at gusto ko lang ibahagi sa inyo—iyan ang produkto ng lahat ng kapaguran natin. Lahat ng tulong na ibinigay natin sa mga estudyante ay nagbunga na, at ngayon marami na sa kanila ang may trabaho at maayos na ang pamumuhay,” Aquino pointed out.

“If we continue this program and provide even more funding, mas marami pa tayong matutulungan,” he added.