SENATOR Loren Legarda reaffirmed her commitment to advancing higher education reforms and securing sustained funding for free college education as the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) marked its 32nd anniversary.

In her message during the anniversary celebration, Legarda lauded CHED’s efforts to expand access to quality education, strengthen academic excellence, promote research and innovation, and prepare higher education institutions for the demands of a rapidly changing world.

She emphasized that the progress of Philippine higher education has been driven by collaboration among government agencies, academic institutions, industry partners, communities, and development organizations.

“The advancement of higher education comes from sustained cooperation across sectors,” Legarda said, noting that this year’s theme, “Strategic Partnership Convergence,” underscores the importance of coordinated efforts in translating plans into meaningful outcomes for Filipino learners.

The veteran lawmaker also commended CHED, under the leadership of Chairperson Shirley Agrupis, for pursuing reforms aimed at making higher education more inclusive, responsive, and globally competitive.

Legarda cited several initiatives unveiled during the celebration, including the Higher Education ACHIEVE Strategic Plan, the Revised CHED Merit Scholarship Program, and Project PAG-IBIG, which she said place learners at the center of development while expanding educational opportunities.

Reflecting on her legislative work, Legarda highlighted landmark measures she championed as former chairperson of the Senate Committee on Higher, Technical, and Vocational Education. These include the Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education (UniFAST) Act, the No Permit, No Exam Prohibition Act, and the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act.

She also recalled backing the realignment of ₱8 billion to CHED under the 2017 General Appropriations Act, even before the enactment of the Free College Education Law.

According to Legarda, the allocation enabled around 800,000 students in 112 state universities and colleges to pursue their studies without paying tuition and miscellaneous fees.

However, she stressed that sustaining free college education remains a challenge due to recurring funding gaps.

Legarda revealed that consultations with state universities and colleges showed that funding allocations under the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act have often been based on outdated enrollment figures, resulting in budget shortfalls.

To address the issue, she said Congress allocated a total of ₱11.8 billion, including ₱7.8 billion through CHED’s Higher Education Development Fund and ₱4 billion under the 2026 national budget.

The senator also highlighted her recent role as chairperson of the Bicameral Conference Committee, where she led efforts to reconcile and advance a measure aimed at strengthening and expanding the implementation of the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act.

In addition, Legarda pointed to several reform measures currently being pursued in Congress, including the Higher Education Development and Innovation Act, the State Universities and Colleges Governance Act, the Local Universities and Colleges Governance Act, and the Presidential Merit Scholarship Program Act.

“These measures aim to expand access, improve accountability, and support a higher education system that delivers results,” she said.

As co-chairperson of the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2), Legarda reiterated her commitment to evidence-based reforms designed to address long-standing challenges in the education sector. She also noted that she authored the law extending the commission’s mandate to continue its work.

Legarda reaffirmed her support for policies and investments that empower learners, strengthen institutions, and contribute to national development.