Legarda secures Senate approval of expanded tertiary education subsidy

Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda helped pass SB 1894, expanding the TES under RA 10931 to better support poor and disadvantaged students.

SENATE President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda has successfully authored and steered the passage on third reading of Senate Bill 1894, enhancing the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act (Republic Act or RA 10931).. The measure strengthens the Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) to ensure that financial assistance is directed to the most financially vulnerable students.“This measure strengthens RA 10931 and ensures that the promise of free and equitable tertiary education truly reaches the poorest Filipino

families,” Legarda said.Legarda, chairman of the Senate Committee on Higher, Technical, and Vocational Education and co-chairman of the Second Congressional Commission on Education (Edcom II), emphasized the importance of the bill during her manifestation.“Edcom II revealed stark gaps in the implementation of student assistance programs.. Many of our most vulnerable learners continue to struggle with the rising costs of transportation, food, housing and school requirements despite existing support mechanisms,” Legarda said.. “This bill ensures that

limited government resources are directed first to those who need them most, aligns allocation strictly with household income, guarantees timely, inflation-adjusted support and demands accountability for the use of public funds.”Learners from disadvantaged backgrounds, including 4Ps households, persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples, solo parents and their dependents, and those in geographically isolated areas, are prioritized under the measure.The bill further expands TES coverage to include allowances for books, supplies, transportation, laptops, room and board, and

other education-related expenses.. It also provides support for students in nursing and allied health programs through coverage of clinical internship and related learning experience fees.“Ang edukasyon ay hindi lang dapat libre; dapat ito’y makabuluhan at nagbubunga ng tunay na oportunidad, mula enrollment hanggang graduation at trabaho (Education should not only be free; it should be meaningful and result in real opportunities, from enrollment to graduation and employment).. This measure is for our students, especially the

poorest, who now know that the government stands behind their dreams.. Dapat laging patas ang pagbibigay ng pagkakataon sa bawat batang Pilipino na nangangarap (Every Filipino child who dreams should always be given a fair opportunity),” Legarda said.Legarda also conveyed her appreciation to her colleagues in the Senate, recognizing their steadfast support in advancing the measure and highlighting the collective effort that ensured its passage on third reading

Loren Legarda, Senate Bill 1894, TES subsidy, RA 10931, tertiary education funding, Universal Access Act, student support