SENATOR Bam Aquino has renewed his commitment to strengthen the implementation of the Free College Law and ensure sustained funding for the program as Republic Act No. 10931, or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, marked its ninth anniversary on Monday, August 3.

Aquino, who served as the principal sponsor of the landmark measure during the 17th Congress and previously chaired the Senate Committee on Education, said the law has helped transform the lives of thousands of Filipino students and their families by making higher education more accessible.

He described the enactment of the Free College Law as one of the most significant milestones of his public service, noting that it remains among his most meaningful achievements nearly a decade after its passage.

Now chairperson of the Senate Committee on Basic Education and vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, Aquino vowed to continue protecting and increasing funding for the program to ensure that more students can pursue higher education without paying tuition fees.

He said lawmakers secured a P67-billion allocation for the Free College Law under the 2026 national budget, which forms part of the P1.34-trillion education budget—the largest education funding package in the country’s history.

Aquino also pledged to closely monitor the implementation of the budget to ensure that funding for the program will be sustained and expanded in the coming years.

The senator emphasized that the passage of the Free College Law was made possible through the collective efforts of lawmakers, educators, student groups, civil society organizations, and thousands of Filipinos who supported the measure.

He likewise expressed appreciation to the President who signed the law in 2017.

To further improve the program, Aquino has filed Senate Bill No. 130, which seeks to expand and strengthen the Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) under the Free College Law.

The proposed measure aims to guarantee TES grants for qualified beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) who complete senior high school and are admitted to Commission on Higher Education (CHED)-recognized higher education institutions or Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA)-recognized technical-vocational schools.

The bill also seeks to ensure that eligible students continue receiving TES assistance until completion of their degree or technical-vocational program, provided they meet academic or training requirements.

It further proposes expanding TES coverage to include internship and Related Learning Experience fees, as well as one-time expenses for professional licensure examinations or certifications, to help reduce the financial burden on graduating students.