House allocates PHP 12.3B to settle tuition backlog

By Juliane Judilla

The Free Higher Education (FHE) program for state universities and colleges (SUCs) will receive PHP 12.3 billion in the 2026 General Appropriations Act to cover unpaid obligations from 2022 to 2025.

The House Committee on Appropriations announced the allocation on Sept. 26, calling it a crucial step toward resolving chronic underfunding in the country’s public higher education system.

According to Kabataan Party-list, the allocation is intended to address deficits in tuition and other school-related costs mandated under Republic Act No. 10931, or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act.

Despite this development, the youth group emphasized that the fight for fully funded, accessible, and quality education remains far from over.

Kabataan Party-list said consultations with student regents and SUC administrators revealed that, despite President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s pledge to meet the 4% of gross domestic product (GDP) education budget target, many SUCs, faculty, and students remain severely under-resourced.

The group added that the government’s promise of free tuition has not been fully realized due to an accumulated PHP 12.3 billion in budget deficiencies between 2022 and 2025, resulting from incomplete fund releases by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) through the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

This figure excludes a projected PHP 3.3 billion deficit for 2026, which remains unresolved due to pending budget computations by the DBM.

While the PHP 12.3 billion commitment is a milestone, Kabataan Party-list noted that other critical issues persist, including a PHP 6.4 billion budget cut affecting 26 SUCs and a PHP 20 billion infrastructure and repair funding requirement.

They also pointed to an overall PHP 163.8 billion gap between SUCs’ original budget request of PHP 292 billion and the PHP 128 billion allocated for 2026.

ACT Teachers Party-list welcomed the House’s decision to cover the PHP 12.3 billion tuition gap, calling it a victory for SUCs nationwide.

“We have successfully pushed for the full payment of the PHP 12.3 billion Free Higher Education deficiency from 2022 to 2025!” said ACT Teachers Rep. and Deputy Minority Leader Antonio Tinio.

“The national government must fully support its promise of free college education, especially in state universities and colleges,” he added.

Tinio noted that the decision was made during budget deliberations in which PHP 255 billion was reallocated from the Department of Public Works and Highways’ flood control budget, a source of controversy over alleged misuse.

“We seized this unique opportunity in the 2026 budget deliberations to finally address this persistent funding gap that has burdened our SUCs for years,” Tinio explained.

He said the settlement will be funded in part through the Higher Education Development Fund (HEDF), which has PHP 11.7 billion available.

“Through our interpellation, we confirmed that PHP 7 billion from HEDF can be allocated for payment of deficiencies. Subsequently, Committee on Appropriations Chair Mika Suansing assured that the remainder would be appropriated by Congress,” he said.

“This will provide all SUCs nationwide a much-needed infusion to address worsening conditions due to underfunding,” Tinio added.

The Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC) confirmed the PHP 12.3 billion figure, which reflects unpaid obligations under the FHE law.

Kabataan Party-list also reiterated the importance of sustained advocacy for full education funding, citing a Unity Statement by SUC administrators calling for PHP 42.7 billion in total support.

“While RA 10931 guarantees free tuition, true free, quality, and accessible higher education remains a distant goal for many Filipino students,” the group said.

“We call on all sectors to strengthen and widen the campaign for adequate education funding,” it added.

The youth group concluded by emphasizing the power of collective action: “Thank you to everyone united in pushing for education funding. Let us continue to stand firm for genuine free and quality education through the combined strength of educators, students, and advocates.”