Manila: Around 5.7 million students enrolled in State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) and Local Universities and Colleges (LUCs) are expected to benefit from free higher education under the Senate version of the 2026 national budget.
According to Philippines News Agency, Senator Bam Aquino announced in a news release that the Senate has earmarked PHP26 billion for SUCs, enabling 5.2 million learners to continue enjoying the benefits of Republic Act 10931, also known as the Free College Law. An additional PHP6.7 billion was allocated for LUCs, supporting approximately 500,000 students, while PHP4.4 billion will address prior-year deficiencies of SUCs, bringing the total funding for the law to PHP67 billion.
Aquino further stated that the chamber has also allocated PHP27.3 billion for allowances under the Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) and PHP2.7 billion for the Tulong Dunong Program (TDP). These programs aim to assist financially challenged students with food, books, and living expenses, while also supporting deserving learners enrolled in private higher education institutions.
For 2026, an estimated 1.5 million students from public and private universities are expected to benefit from TES and TDP, including 490,000 beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilya Pilipino Program. Depending on their category, students will receive assistance ranging from PHP15,000 to PHP27,000.
"Malaking bagay ito kasi marami sa mga estudyante natin nangangailangan ng dagdag tulong para makapagtapos (This is a big help because many of our students need additional support to finish their studies)," Aquino remarked. He highlighted that 70 percent of students in LUCs and SUCs complete their college education, marking the highest rate in the region.
To enhance transparency, Aquino proposed that all schools publish the list of TES beneficiaries to ensure that the funds reach the intended recipients. "Palagay ko iyon naman talaga iyong hinahabol ng taumbayan. maganda na naka-publish ito (I believe this is what the public is asking for. it's good if this is published)," he asserted.
