BAGUIO City Representative Mark Go filed a measure that aims to create a voucher system for poor and academically qualified students in private higher educational institutions and private technical vocational institutions.

Go, through House Bill 984, seeks to amend Republic Act 1093 or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act.

He said the law is a landmark legislation but certain realities have to be accommodated to fully attain its goals. He pointed out that there is a limited number of Public Higher Education Institutions that could cater to all higher education students.

There are only 242 public HEIs including State and Local Universities and Colleges.

Go said the range of courses or degrees offered in each public HEI limits the options of the students who need government subsidy.

Under the measure, a proportional budgetary allocation in the form of a voucher system will be created and administered by the Unifast Board for poor and academically qualified students who opt to study in private HEIs and private TVIs in cities and municipalities where there are existing SUCs, LUCs and Public TVIs.

Eligilibity for the coverage under the vouchers system shall be determined by the Unifast board and shall be based on the students’ economic situation and academic qualifications