Manila: The delivery of free higher education in the Philippines remains on track through the Unified Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education Act (UniFAST), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) said Monday. This assurance comes after President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. approved the recommendations of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to augment CHED's funding, facilitating the continuous provision of free higher education in local colleges and universities (LUCs) under the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act.

According to Philippines News Agency, CHED Chairperson J. Prospero de Vera III expressed confidence in the administration's commitment to the Free Higher Education program, emphasizing the ongoing efforts to ensure accessible and equitable higher education for all Filipinos. A significant augmentation of more than PHP577.12 million has been approved to cover tuition and school fees for tertiary students in LUCs, supplementing the PHP5.2 billion free higher education budget allocated in the General Appropriations Act (GAA).

De Vera extended gratitude to President Marcos and the DBM for their unwavering support in advancing free and quality higher education in the country. He highlighted that the national government prioritizes higher education and is dedicated to maintaining the delivery of free tertiary education.

The UniFAST assured the swift disbursement of funds to ensure timely reimbursement to CHED-accredited LUCs. UniFAST Executive Director Ryan Estevez confirmed that necessary preparations have been made for disbursement, which is scheduled to occur after Holy Week.