BAGONG Henerasyon Parstylist Rep. Rober Nazat has urged the government to immediately release the P11.7-billion Higher Education Development Fund (HEDF), warning that continued delays could jeopardize access to higher education for thousands of students.

Nazal called on authorities to expedite the fund’s release, stressing that withholding the allocation could violate the law that guarantees sustained support for state universities and colleges.

According to the lawmaker, many students are now uncertain whether they will be able to enroll in the next semester due to the delayed disbursement of the fund.

“The continued delay in the utilization of the fund is tantamount to disregarding the law that ensures continuous support for higher education,” Nazal said.

The HEDF was established under the Higher Education Act of 1994 or Republic Act No. 7722 to strengthen and further develop higher education in the Philippines.

However, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has raised concerns over the implementation of Executive Order No. 338, which requires government funds to first be deposited with the Bureau of the Treasury before they can be utilized.

Nazal argued that EO 338 should not apply to the HEDF because it is a special statutory fund created by Congress under RA 7722, with its own governance structure and clearly defined administrative framework.

He also pointed out that under the constitutional hierarchy of laws, an executive order or administrative issuance cannot amend, repeal, or supersede a law enacted by Congress.

The lawmaker urged concerned agencies to ensure the immediate release of the HEDF to prevent disruptions in higher education programs and to reassure students who rely on government support to continue their studies.