SENATOR Risa Hontiveros is pushing for stronger safeguards in the country’s tertiary education subsidy system, citing the need to address delays in financial assistance and improve accountability in the implementation of the government’s free higher education program.

Hontiveros highlighted Senate Bill No. 1894, or the proposed Enhancing the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, which seeks to improve the delivery of student support services.

“The Free Higher Education Law has transformed millions of lives. But delays in subsidies and funding gaps have failed many students and strained our SUCs and LUCs,” the senator said.

She said her office has been receiving complaints since 2022 from students who experienced delayed or missing releases of the Tertiary Education Subsidy, with some reportedly forced to stop schooling due to financial difficulties.

“Students who are striving to finish their studies should not be neglected,” she stressed.

Under the proposed measure, Hontiveros said the Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education (UniFAST) would be directed to speed up subsidy releases and establish a grievance mechanism that students can use to raise concerns about financial assistance.

She also expressed support for prioritizing beneficiaries from households under the government’s 4Ps program, as well as expanding coverage to solo parents and persons with disabilities.

Hontiveros added that funding gaps affecting state universities and colleges should likewise be addressed in the next national budget.

“If we are serious about true universal access to education, we must ensure that no student is left behind and no school is left unsupported,” she said.