SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian stressed that the goal of the P4 billion earmarked in the 2026 national budget is to build more classrooms, upgrade facilities, and create more opportunities for deserving students in 114 State Universities and Colleges (SUCs).

According to the chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, the allocation will enable SUCs to expand their enrollment capacity.

He noted that limited capacity has forced SUCs to turn away qualified students despite meeting admission requirements.

An analysis by the senator’s office showed that, due to capacity constraints, 168,493 students were denied admission despite being qualified for enrollment.

Data submitted by 62 SUCs also revealed that 32 have exceeded their capacity, with 11 already reaching 100 percent occupancy.

“Bagama’t may libreng kolehiyo na tayo, napakarami pa ring kabataan ang hindi nakakapasok dahil kapos ang pasilidad at kapasidad ng ating mga SUCs. Tiyakin nating lahat ng mga mag-aaral ay mabibigyan ng pagkakataong makapagpatuloy ng kanilang edukasyon,” Gatchalian said.

“Kaya naman, sa ilalim ng makasaysayang pondong inilaan natin para sa sektor ng edukasyon, tiniyak nating bawat SUC ay may pondo para palawakin ang kanilang kakayahang tumanggap ng mas marami pang mga mag-aaral,” he added.