SENATOR Joel Villanueva is pushing for a measure expanding the coverage of the Tertiary Education Subsidy.

Villanueva’s Senate Bill 1604 aims to amend Republic Act 10931 o the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act.

In his explanatory note, Villanueva quality education has always been one of the foremost priorities of our nation, standing as both a promise and a responsibility to the people enshrined in our constitution.

He explained that almost a decade after the implementation of Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, disparities in access to education continue to persist and are deeply felt by many Filipinos.

The senator explained the growing concern underscores the gaps in the law’s execution and calls into question the true extent of its universality as not students are able to equally enjoy the right to quality education.

The proposed measure seeks to amend Republic Act 10931 by strengthening the TES program through the clear definition and expansion of eligible beneficiaries.

It aims to ensure that assistance is directed to students who need it the most by establishing more precise and equitable prioritization guidelines that give due preference to economically disadvantaged students.

The measure also broadens the scope of support provided under the TES by covering internship and related learning experience fees required by a student’s academic program or curriculum.