Expanding the Coverage of the Tertiary Education Subsidy

Senate → Office of the Secretary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 25 DEC 15 P1:11 First Regular Session RECEIVED BY: SENATE 1604 Senate Bill No. _ Introduced by Senator JOEL VILLANUEVA AN ACT EXPANDING THE COVERAGE OF THE TERTIARY EDUCATION SUBSIDY, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10931, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "UNIVERSAL ACCESS TO QUALITY TERTIARY EDUCATION ACT" EXPLANATORY NOTE Quality education has always been one of the foremost priorities of our nation, standing as both a promise and a responsibility to the people enshrined in our Constitution. The enactment of Republic Act No. 10931, or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act of 2017, is a manifestation of this constitutional duty by ensuring that tertiary education receives the support it needs to be accessible to all Filipinos. This landmark legislation bridges the aspirations of the State and its people, empowering individuals to pursue personal growth through learning while enabling the nation to prosper through an educated citizenry. However, almost a decade after the implementation of Republic Act No. 10931, disparities in access to education continue to persist and are deeply felt by many Filipinos. This growing concern underscores the gaps in the law's execution and calls into question the true extent of its "universality," as not all students are able to equally enjoy the right to quality education due to its current prioritization framework and delivery mechanisms. Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reveal that nearly 11 million Filipino children and youth are classified as Out-of-School Children and Youth (OSCY).1 Of this number, an astounding 68.5 percent belongs to the 20-24 age group and 15.6 Philippine Star. Nearly 11 million children, youth not in school - PSA. Published on 15 May 2024. Available at https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2024/05/15/2355189/nearly-11-million-children- youth-not-school-psa (Accessed on 16 October 2025).

percent from the 15-19 age bracket. This means that a significant population of the youth consists of individuals who should be pursuing tertiary education but are not attending school. These findings serve as a pressing call to review and strengthen existing education policies to ensure that every student has equitable access to learning opportunities and that no one is left behind. The Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) emphasizes the need to establish a centralized and consistent system for clearly defining and identifying eligible beneficiaries of the Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) program.3 Thus, this proposed measure seeks to amend Republic Act No. 10931, specifically

Section 7, by strengthening the TES program through the clear definition and

expansion of eligible beneficiaries. It aims to ensure that assistance is directed to students who need it the most by establishing more precise and equitable prioritization guidelines that give due preference to economically disadvantaged students. In addition, the measure broadens the scope of support provided under the TES by covering internship and related learning experience fees required by a student's academic program or curriculum. In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 3 Manila Bulletin. PIDS: Amend education laws to fix access, funding gaps. Published on 29 September 2025. Available at https://mb.com.ph/2025/09/29/pids-amend-education-laws-to-fix-access- funding-gaps (Accessed on 16 October 2025).

Senate Office of the Soccretarp TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES DEC 15 P1:11 First Regular Session RECEIVED BY: SENATE 1604 Senate Bill No. . Introduced by Senator JOEL VILLANUEVA AN ACT EXPANDING THE COVERAGE OF THE TERTIARY EDUCATION SUBSIDY, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10931, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "UNIVERSAL ACCESS TO QUALITY TERTIARY EDUCATION ACT" Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Section 7 of Republic Act No. 10931 or the "Universal Access

2 to Quality Tertiary Education Act" is hereby amended to read as follows: "Section 7. TES for Filipino Students. - To support the cost of tertiary education or any part or portion thereof, a TES is hereby established IN ALL SUCS, LUCS, PRIVATE HEIS AND TVIS for all Filipino students who [shalt] enroll in THE undergraduate-post-secondary TERTIARY EDUCATION OR TECHNICAL-VOCATIONAL TRAINING program[s] [of SUEs, LUCs, private HEIs and all TVIS] OF THEIR CHOICE. The TES shall be administered by the UniFAST Board and the amount necessary to fund the TES shall be included in the RESPECTIVE budgets of the CHED and the TESDA: Provided, That prioritization shall be given to QUALIFIED students in the following order: (a) students ENROLLED IN SUCS, LUCS AND PUBLIC TVIs who are part of households included in the UPDATED OR MOST RECENT Listahanan 2.0, ranked according to

the estimated per capita household income; [and] (b) students ENROLLED IN SUCS, LUCS AND PUBLIC TVIS WHO ARE not part of the Listahanan 2.0, ranked according to estimated per capita household income based on submitted documentation of proof of income to be determined by the UniFAST Board [: Provided, further, That such prioritization shall not apply to Filipino students in cities and municipalities with no existing SUC or LUC campus]; (C) STUDENTS WHO ARE ENROLLED IN PRIVATE HEIS AND TVIS IN CITIES AND MUNICIPALITIES WHERE THERE ARE NO ESTABLISHED SUC, LUC, OR PUBLIC TVI; AND (D) STUDENTS WHO ARE ENROLLED IN PRIVATE HEIS AND TVIS IN CITIES AND MUNICIPALITIES WHERE THERE ARE ESTABLISHED SUCS, LUCS, OR PUBLIC TVIS: PROVIDED, FURTHER, THAT THE CHED, IN CONSULTATION WITH OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCIES CONCERNED AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT, SHALL DETERMINE THE AMOUNT OF SUBSIDIES TO BE GRANTED, AND THE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR TES BENEFICIARIES. TO SUPPORT THE COST OF TERTIARY EDUCATION OR ANY PART OR PORTION THEREOF, [F]the TES may, among others, [and to support the cost of tertiary education or any part or portion thereof,] cover the following: (a) FULL [Fluition and other school fees (TOSF) in private HEIs, and private or LGU-operated, which shall be equivalent to the tuition and other school fees of the nearest SUC or state-run TVI in their respective areas: PROVIDED, THAT SUCH TOSF SHALL NOT EXCEED THE AVERAGE AMOUNT SPENT BY GOVERNMENT PER STUDENT UNDER THE FREE HIGHER EDUCATION PROGRAMS IN SUCS AND LUCS: PROVIDED, FURTHER, THAT IN CASES WHERE THE TOSF EXCEED THIS AVERAGE

AMOUNT, THE UNIFAST BOARD SHALL ADMINISTER GUIDELINES IN SETTING THE AMOUNT OF THE TES; (b) Allowance for books, SCHOOL supplies, transportation TO AND FROM SCHOOL, and Emiscellaneous personal expenses, including al reasonable allowance for the documented rental or purchase of a [personal computer or laptop] DESKTOP OR PORTABLE COMPUTERS and other education-related expenses, IF APPLICABLE; (c) An allowance for room and board costs incurred by the student DURING THE DURATION OF THEIR STUDIES, IF APPLICABLE; (d) For a student with a disability, an allowance for expenses related to the student's disability, including special services, personal assistance, transportation, equipment, and supplies that are reasonably incurred; [and] (E) INTERNSHIP AND RELATED LEARNING EXPERIENCE (RLE) FEES THAT ARE REQUIRED BY THE CURRICULUM, INCLUDING THOSE FOR NURSING AND OTHER ALLIED HEALTH PROGRAMS; AND (e) (F) For a student in a program requiring professional license or certification, the one (1)-time cost of obtaining the first professional credentials or qualifications, which may include the following: application fees, notarial fees, review classes fees, insurance premium fees and documentation fees: Provided, That the amount of subsidy shall be based on the guidelines set forth by the UniFAST Board and on the annual budgetary appropriation for this purpose. ALL TES BENEFICIARIES SHALL CONTINUE TO RECEIVE SUCH BENEFITS OR SUBSIDY UNTIL THE COMPLETION OF THEIR RESPECTIVE UNDERGRADUATE, POST-SECONDARY TERTIARY EDUCATION, OR TECHNICAL-VOCATIONAL PROGRAMS: PROVIDED, THAT THE TES BENEFICIARIES

COMPLY WITH THE RETENTION AND RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE SUCS, LUCS, PRIVATE HEIS AND TVIS."

SEC. 2. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60)

days from the effectivity of this Act, the UniFAST Board, in consultation with the CHED, DepEd, DSWD, TESDA, and other relevant stakeholders, shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to effectively implement the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 3. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is

declared unconstitutional, the remainder hereof or any provisions not affected thereby shall remain in force and effect.

SEC. 4. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance,

executive order, letter of instruction, rule, or regulation inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 5. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

complete publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. Approved,