HOUSE Minority Leader and 4Ps Party-list Rep. Marcelino “Nonoy” Libanan said a newly signed law will give qualified students from Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) families greater access to college through expanded financial assistance.

Libanan said Republic Act No. 12325, or the Expanded Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, guarantees financial support for eligible 4Ps high school graduates who meet the admission requirements of recognized higher education institutions.

Signed into law by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the measure allows the assistance to cover tuition and other school fees, as well as allowances for books, school supplies, transportation, and other necessary educational expenses.

The law also provides support for room and board and, when applicable, the rental or purchase of a personal computer. Students living in areas without a state university or local college may also enroll in private higher education institutions while remaining eligible for financial assistance.

For degree programs requiring professional licensure, the assistance may also cover one-time expenses for review classes, documentation, and credential requirements.

Libanan said the new measure strengthens the government’s long-term investment in human capital through the 4Ps program, which has served 4.4 million Filipino families over the past 18 years.

According to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), nearly 3 million households remain active beneficiaries, while almost 1.6 million families have already achieved self-sufficiency.

The DSWD also reported that 39,879 former 4Ps beneficiaries have passed professional board examinations, including 99 topnotchers in 2026 and 72 top-performing passers in the March 2026 Licensure Examination for Teachers.

Libanan said these achievements show that sustained educational support can help children from poor families break the cycle of poverty and build better futures for themselves and their communities.