ILOILO CITY — Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Tuesday said they made sure the implementation of Republic Act 10931 or Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act of 2017 will have funds in the 2019 General Appropriations Act (GAA).
In an interview with local media on the sidelines of the one-day policy forum to end child rape held in this city, Gatchalian said the education sector has the highest share in the proposed PHP3.7-trillion budget.
He made the assurance amid speculations that it will not be given funding. He underscored that it will benefit including abused children because they can pursue college education.
“One way for them to be able to stand up is to get college education. They can get better jobs, they can help themselves and help their families. College education really is the way to empower children who have been previously abused,” he said.
The free college education will benefit close to 2 million students in public school system and 500,000 in the private higher education institutions next school year.
He added the program will have fund of about PHP40 billion, the second big program of the government that will benefit poor Filipinos.
Gatchalian said the law made a big impact because those who dropped out of school due to poverty can now proceed with their college education.
Also, those who passed entrance examinations of tertiary schools will no longer fear where to get their money to pay for their tuition.
Also, if they need additional fund, they can “loan” from the government under the study now, pay later plan. (Perla Lena/PNA)
