Manila: The Senate on Tuesday approved a measure seeking to widen financial support for college and technical-vocational students by strengthening the implementation of the country's free tertiary education law. With a unanimous 21-0-0 vote, senators passed Senate Bill No. 1894, which aims to amend Republic Act No. 10931, known as the 'Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act.'
According to Philippines News Agency, the bill, sponsored by Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda, expands the coverage of the Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) program and introduces additional support mechanisms for disadvantaged learners. Under the new measure, students from households covered by the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) who complete senior high school will automatically qualify for TES grants upon admission to schools recognized by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) or the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
The legislation broadens the definition of 'learners from disadvantaged backgrounds' to include persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples, children under foster care, solo parents and their dependents, learners in conflict with the law, first-generation college students, and those from geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas. The expanded TES coverage will also include transportation, books, room and board, laptop or computer purchases, disability-related expenses, and professional licensure-related costs.
Additionally, students enrolled in nursing and allied health programs at private higher education institutions will receive extra support for clinical internship and Related Learning Experience (RLE) fees. The measure also extends the definition of 'other school fees' under the law to encompass clinical internship and RLE fees necessary for nursing and allied health courses.
In her explanation of the vote, Legarda emphasized that the measure aims to ensure the promise of free and equitable tertiary education reaches impoverished Filipino families. She noted that 'EDCOM 2 revealed stark gaps in the implementation of student assistance programs,' highlighting that many vulnerable learners continue to face challenges with the rising costs of transportation, food, housing, and school requirements despite existing support mechanisms.
Legarda stated that the bill is designed to allocate limited government resources to students who need them most, while also ensuring timely inflation-adjusted support and stronger accountability mechanisms. She articulated that education should not only be free but also meaningful, providing real opportunities from enrollment to graduation and employment. Furthermore, she assured poor students that 'the government stands behind their dreams.'
Legarda also mentioned that the House of Representatives had already approved its version of the measure.
