Senator Sherwin Gatchalian will seek additional funding to cover the expected P3 billion budget deficit for the implementation of free higher education next year.
The National Expenditure Program (NEP) proposes a budget of P23.38 billion for free higher education.
But, the Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges estimates that P27.078 billion is needed to implement free higher education for school year 2025-2026.
If the deficit is not addressed, Gatchalian said that state universities and colleges (SUCs) will not be able to hire more teachers, buy learning equipment, or build new facilities needed to deliver quality tertiary education.
“Yung nilalagay nating pera sa free higher education, ang kapalit nun ay diploma. The free higher education will yield the country more students who will graduate with a diploma and that will enable them to get meaningful jobs,” said Gatchalian, author and co-sponsor of the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act or the Free Higher Education Law.
“So maybe later on we can request the Chairperson of the Finance Committee kung pwedeng kumurot ng kaunti sa pondo ng ayuda,” he added, referring to the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation, Tulong Pang-hanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers, and Sustainable Livelihood Program.IMT
