FACULTY members, employees and students from more than 30 state universities and colleges (SUCs) have called on Congress to restore the proposed P3.34-billion reduction in the SUC budget under the 2027 national budget.

In a unity statement, faculty regents, university officials, unions and academic organizations said the proposed cuts would affect 49 of the country’s 116 SUCs, while only a handful of institutions would receive minimal funding increases.

The group also urged lawmakers to increase education spending to 6 percent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP), citing the UNESCO benchmark for public investment in education.

The statement warned that reduced funding for maintenance and other operating expenses and capital outlay could worsen classroom shortages, limit the construction of laboratories and put additional strain on university services.

It also raised concerns over thousands of unfunded student slots and the continued reliance on contractual teaching and support personnel.

Among their key demands are the restoration of SUC funding, higher salaries for educators and staff, additional permanent plantilla positions, and the reallocation of government funds to public education and other social services.