4Ps Party-list Rep. Marcelino Libanan stressed that Congress has the prerogative to provide appropriations on a case-to-case basis for state universities and colleges if they want to continue offering the senior high school program.

Libanan explained that if there is an issue with funding to sustain the SHS program in SUCs, Congress could itemize subsidies for SUCs in the annual budget.

The solon is reacting to the Commission on Higher Education’s memorandum ordering SUCs and local universities and colleges to discontinue offering the program as the K to 12 transition already ended, which is part of the legal basis for them to accept SHS students.

Libanan said many SUCs are already considered autonomous institutions that exercise independent control over their academic programs.

“There are also SUCs, particularly those in the provinces, that might deem it necessary to have their own ‘feeder’ SHS programs to supply them with high school graduates for specific college courses,” Libanan said.

He said CHED should have a well-defined roadmap concerning the SHS programs of SUCs.

“They should have drawn up a clear roadmap defining the desired outcome and outlining the steps needed to get there,” Libanan said.

To date, there are about 17,700 Grade 11 learners enrolled in the current school year in SUCs and LUCs across the country, based on the DepEd’s database.