By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
With the education sector among the leading priorities of the administration, concerned agencies continue to make initiatives in support of helping teachers, students, and their families.
This, as the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) released P9.75 billion to the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to cover funding deficiencies in the implementation of the Free Higher Education (FHE) Program of 108 State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) nationwide.
Through CHED’s Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education (UniFAST), the disbursed funds will be released to corresponding SUCs, which will cover arrears for Academic Years 2022-2023; 2023-2024; and 2024-2025.
DBM Acting Secretary Kim Robert de Leon said in a statement, “Kapag sinabi nating prayoridad ang edukasyon, kailangang makita ito hindi lamang sa ating mga polisiya kundi sa aktuwal na pondong naihahatid natin sa ating mga paaralan at mga estudyante.”
In a media release Sunday, Secretary de Leon welcomed the P9.75-billion release, which would help ease the financial pressure on SUCs and support other institutional priorities such as strengthening academic and research programs; improving student services; upgrading laboratories; libraries and information technology resources; maintaining and improving learning facilities; and supporting medical, dental, guidance, athletic and cultural services, among others.
This amount is chargeable against the agency’s built-in appropriations under the FY 2026 General Appropriations Act and the Special Account in the General Fund–Higher Education Development Fund (SAGF-HEDF).
The DBM official added, “The President’s direction is clear: education remains a priority. When resources are available, the legal basis is clear, and the requirements are complete, DBM will act with urgency so that funding translates into actual services and opportunities for our people.”
The FHE Program, established under Republic Act No. 10931 or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, provides free tuition and other school fees in SUCs and CHED-recognized local universities and colleges, significantly reducing the cost of tertiary education for Filipino students and their families.
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