Nation

LAWMAKER VOWS TO SECURE P6-B TO FUND NEW BENEFICIARIES OF FREE COLLEGE EDUCATION

/ 19 October 2025

SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian assured that the Senate will find ways to raise P6 billion to fund the free college education of more than 400,000 students from poor families who are beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or 4Ps.

Gatchalian said government agencies that fail to deliver on their mandates could be a potential source of the needed funds.

“From only 10 percent before, 4Ps beneficiaries now make up 40 percent of the students availing of the government’s free higher education program. These are the poorest of the poor, and we must make sure they continue to have access to college,” Gatchalian said during the Senate budget hearing for the Commission on Higher Education.

CHED Chairperson Dr. Shirley Agrupis appealed to senators to increase the agency’s proposed 2026 budget from P33 billion to P49.9 billion, or an additional P16.9 billion.

The additional amount, she said, would cover free college education for 626,000 poor but deserving students; the construction of dormitories and classrooms in 113 state universities and colleges ; upgrading of CHED’s central and regional offices; and the adjustment of tuition rates in SUCs, which serve as the basis for government subsidies.

During the same hearing, Gatchalian also flagged the growing trend of local government units establishing colleges and universities that offer programs such as Criminology and Psychology but are not accredited by the Professional Regulation Commission.

As a result, graduates from these schools cannot take the necessary licensure examinations.

CHED officials admitted they have yet to fully monitor and address the issue.

Gatchalian urged the agency to take stronger action—either by shutting down unaccredited programs, informing students of their ineligibility for board exams, or helping the schools meet PRC qualification standards.

“Our students deserve quality education and transparency. We cannot allow them to invest years of their lives in programs that will not qualify them for professional licenses,” Gatchalian said.