SENATE PUSHES TO EXPAND GOV’T ASSISTANCE TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS
/ 21 January 2026
SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian is advocating for the expansion of government assistance to private schools through a uniform voucher system covering learners from Kindergarten to Grade 6.
Beyond establishing a uniform voucher system across all levels of private basic education, Gatchalian aims to ensure that such support helps ease overcrowding in public schools.
“Tutulong tayo sa pribadong paaralan, pero ang benepisyo dapat diretso sa mga estudyanteng higit na nangangailangan,” said Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance.
His bill also emphasizes prioritizing learners from low-income households and completers of the Alternative Learning System.
Through the Government Assistance to Private Basic Education Act, or Senate Bill No. 364, Gatchalian seeks to address gaps in the current programs under the Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education, including the Senior High School Voucher Program and Educational Service Contracting.
During the 19th Congress, Gatchalian led an inquiry that exposed billions of pesos in leakages in both the SHS-VP and ESC programs, also raising concerns about the inclusion of ghost students in the SHS-VP.
