Strengthening the Tertiary Education Subsidy

TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session 25 JUL -2 P4:56 SENATE S. No. 26 Introduced by Senator PIA S. CAYETANO AN ACT STRENGTHENING THE TERTIARY EDUCATION SUBSIDY, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 7 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10931, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "UNIVERSAL ACCESS TO QUALITY TERTIARY EDUCATION ACT" EXPLANATORY NOTE Republic Act No. 10931, or the "Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act," (UAQTEA) was enacted to guarantee that all Filipinos, particularly those from poor and marginalized sectors, are given fair and equitable access to quality tertiary education. A key feature of this landmark legislation is the Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) program, which provides financial support to qualified students to cover education-related expenses beyond tuition and other school fees. Since its implementation, however, concerns have emerged from both beneficiaries and academic institutions regarding the inconsistency and unpredictability of TES allocations. In several instances, the amount of subsidy granted to students in previous academic years was arbitrarily reduced in succeeding years without clear explanation. This has caused financial distress and undue anxiety among students and their families who heavily rely on TES to support their education, transportation, living expenses, and other academic expenses. To address these issues, this proposed measure seeks to amend Section 7 of the UAQTEA by including a provision that guarantees the continuity and non-reduction of the TES amount once granted, for the entire duration of a student's undergraduate

or technical-vocational program, provided that the student remains compliant with the eligibility requirements set by law. This proposed safeguard upholds the principles of fairness and predictability in government support for higher education. Moreover, recognizing the evolving economic landscape and rising cost of tertiary education, the bill mandates that the Commission on Higher Education, in coordination with the Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education Board and the Department of Budget and Management, conduct a review of TES rates every three (3) years. This will ensure that the subsidy remains sufficient, responsive to inflation, and aligned with the actual cost of tertiary education. By institutionalizing these measures, the proposed amendment reinforces the State's commitment to inclusive and sustainable access to tertiary education, particularly for the most vulnerable sectors. In view of the foregoing, the immediate approval of the bill is earnestly sought. DIA S. CAYETANC

TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session 25 JUL - 2 P4:56 SENATE --... - S. No. Introduced by Senator PIA S. CAYETANO AN ACT STRENGTHENING THE TERTIARY EDUCATION SUBSIDY, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 7 OF 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 RA 10931 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 for all Filipino students who shall enroll in undergraduate- post-secondary programs of SUCs, LUCs, private HEIs and all TVIS. The TES shall be administered by the UniFAST Board and the amount necessary to fund the TES shall be included in the budgets of the CHED and the TESDA: Provided, That prioritization shall be given to students in the following order: (a) students who are part of households included in the Listahanan 2.0, ranked according to the estimated per capita household income; and (b) students 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.

The TES may, among others, and to support the cost of tertiary education or any part or portion thereof, cover the following: a) xxx; b) xxX; c) xxx; d) xxx; and e) xxx; THE AMOUNT OF THE TES ONCE GRANTED TO QUALIFIED BENEFICIARIES SHALL NOT BE REDUCED AND SHALL BE CONTINUOUSLY GIVEN FOR THE DURATION OF THEIR UNDERGRADUATE OR TECHNICAL-VOCATIONAL PROGRAMS: PROVIDED, THAT THE BENEFICIARIES REMAIN COMPLIANT WITH THE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS SET FORTH IN THIS ACT: PROVIDED, FURTHER, THAT EVERY THREE YEARS, THE UNIFAST BOARD, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE DBM SHALL CONDUCT A REVIEW OF THE TES RATES TO ACCOUNT FOR INFLATION AND THE CHANGES IN THE COST OF TERTIARY EDUCATION.

Sec. 2. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is declared

unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provisions not affected thereby shall remain in force and effect.

Sec. 3. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive

23 order, letter of instruction, rule or regulation inconsistent with the provisions of this 24 Act is hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Sec 4. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days

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