THE ALLIANCE of Concerned Teachers-Philippines (ACT) has strongly opposed the proposed P3.34-billion budget reduction for state universities and colleges (SUCs) under the 2027 National Expenditure Program, urging Congress to restore the funding and redirect confidential and intelligence funds to education.

In a statement issued on August 27, ACT said 49 of the country’s 116 SUCs would face budget cuts, while seven institutions would receive increases of less than one percent.

The group said the University of the Philippines System would suffer the largest reduction, at nearly P2.95 billion, warning that the cut would directly affect funding for the Philippine General Hospital.

Other institutions facing major reductions include the Philippine Normal University, which would lose P394.9 million, and the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, which would face a P291.8-million reduction.

ACT also cited substantial budget cuts for regional state universities, including Mariano Marcos State University, Isabela State University, Biliran Province State University, and Leyte Normal University.

ACT Chairperson Vladimer Quetua Bernardo said the proposed reductions undermine the government’s commitment to providing free and quality higher education. He warned that the cuts could also affect teachers’ salaries, employee regularization, promotions, and the improvement of school facilities.

The organization contrasted the proposed education cuts with the P10.8 billion in Confidential and Intelligence Funds, including P4.56 billion allocated to the Office of the President, as well as increased funding for the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Philippine National Police.

ACT called on lawmakers to reject the SUC budget cuts, restore the P3.34 billion in funding, abolish confidential funds, reduce discretionary and militaristic spending, and redirect public resources to higher education and other essential social services.