President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday enacted the amendments to the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, expanding the government’s assistance for disadvantaged college students.
In his speech in Malacañang aftet the ceremonial signing, Marcos said the amendments will ensure that aid reaches “those who need it most,” referring to students from poor and disadvantaged families and qualified beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program.
“This Act reflects what our Bagong Pilipinas should always be: a country where every young Filipino, especially the most disadvantaged, has an equal chance at a quality tertiary education,” the President said of the priority amendments, now known as Republic Act 12325.
He went on: “It is a measure that builds on the government’s promise and strengthens it for the years to come—bringing us closer to a future where every Filipino family has at least one child who completes a bachelor’s degree or a technical-vocational education and training program.”
RA 10931 or the UAQTEA mandated free tuition and other school fees for students at state universities and colleges, local universities and colleges, and state-run technical-vocational institutions, as well as financial assistance through the Tertiary Education Subsidy and the Tulong Dunong Program.
The amendments expanded the scope og the TES by including subsidies for internship or Related Learning Experience, professional licensure expenses, allowances for students with disabilities, and a one-year extension of the program completion under justifiable circumstances.
It also provided additional aid to students from disadvantaged and underserved sectors, including qualified 4Ps beneficiaries.
“Poor and deserving students taking priority programs who are not covered by existing grants may also receive government support to pursue their studies in qualified private higher education and technical-vocational institutions,” the Chief Executive said.
“This expands the opportunities for more Filipinos to earn a degree, a diploma, or skills qualification,” he added.
The new law mandated all SUCs, LUCs, and state-run technical-vocational institutions to implement Equity and Inclusion Plans to support students from disadvantaged backgrounds through fee waivers and priority access to facilities.
It also established private education assistance, regularly adjusting grants, and enhanced accountability monitoring.
“While we have opened the doors of our public colleges, universities, and technical-vocational institutions, the responsibility of government does not end there. We must help all our learners remain in schools or training until they complete their studies and acquire the skills they need to succeed,” Marcos said.
He vowed to sustain the efforts to support tertiary education.
“Every learner who completes a college degree or TVET program brings greater opportunity to a family and strengthens our nation with a more skilled, productive, and empowered citizenry,” he said.