MORE students from the Bicol region benefited from the programs under the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act of 2017 or Republic Act 1093, the Commission on Higher Education said.

For Academic Year 2020-2021, CHED said more than 27,000 students enrolled in 18 colleges in the region no longer pay tuition and miscellaneous fee because of the Free Higher Education program. It added that an additional 3,000 students receive Tertiary Education Subsidy.

Under RA 10931, local universities and colleges are required to have institutional recognition and a Certificate of Program Compliance so their students can avail of the FHE, TES, Tulong Dunong and the Student Loan Program.

On Monday, CHED Chairman Prospero De Vera III, together with Albay 2nd District Representative Joey Salceda, CHED Commissioner Aldrin Darilag, UniFAST OIC Executive Director Ryan Estevez and CHEDRO V Regional Director Freddie Bernal led the Gawad Parangal rites for 16 local colleges at the New Blossoms Convention Hall in Tagas, Daraga, Albay.

The 16 LUCs have complied with both IR and COPC requirements thus allowing their students to benefit from RA 10931.

The 16 local universities and colleges that have fully complied with CHED requirements are the Aroroy Municipal College, Donsol Community College, Governor Mariano E. Villafuerte Community Colleges – Garchitorena, Governor Mariano E. Villafuerte Community Colleges – ibmanan, Governor Mariano E. Villafuerte Community Colleges – Siruma, San Pascual Polytechnic College, Baao Community College, Calabanga Community College, City College of Naga, Daraga Community College, Libon Community College, Ligao Community College, Oas Community College, Polangui Community College, San Jose Community College and Tiwi Community College.

Meanwhile, CHED said that the Caramoan Community College and Community College of Manito have acquired the needed Certificate of Program Compliance and are being evaluated for their institutional recognition.

“You can now tell the whole world that you provide quality education, but what you get today is just the first step in your continuing journey as a higher education institution, for the road ahead is more challenging because of the pandemic,” De Vera said.

He added that CHED is exploring how to further assist local universities and colleges through institutional grants, scholarships for their faculty and university to university linkages.

He encouraged local universities and colleges to develop linkages with state universities and colleges to improve their degree offerings and share faculty.