Congress was pressed by Kabataan Party-list on Saturday, September 27, to restore the P6.47 billion cut from the budgets of 26 state universities and colleges (SUCs) and to allocate more funds for free higher education in 2026.
It was said by the group that public higher education continues to be underfunded by the government despite claims of record-high appropriations, with 26 out of 113 SUCs still projected to face budget cuts next year—a move argued by the group to contradict the constitutional mandate and the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act.
According to data from the Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC) reported by the group, a P12.31-billion debt has been accumulated by the government to SUCs for the Free Higher Education (FHE) program from 2022 to 2025, while an additional P3.34-billion funding gap is projected for 2026.
“Kabataan Partylist through prior independent consultations with SUC Student Regents and SUC Presidents, along with the pre-plenary caucus discussions with the administrators themselves, forged a unity statement signed by 40 of 113 SUC Presidents calling for the restoration of cuts and additional funding for free higher education for fiscal year 2026,” Kabataan said.
In a unity statement, Congress was asked by SUC administrators to restore the P6.47 billion slashed from SUC budgets, to allocate P15.64 billion to settle the FHE backlog, to approve Php 20.61 billion in Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE) and Capital Outlay (CO), and to realign Php 255.53 billion from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) flood control and infrastructure projects to education.
The statement was signed by the following SUC presidents:
- Dr. Aladino C. Moraca – Central Philippines State University
- Dr. Lilian Diana B. Parreño – Guimaras State University
- Dr. Efren L. Linan – Capiz State University
- Dr. Joselito F. Villaruz – West Visayas State University
- Dr. Norberto P. Mangulabnan – Carlos Hilado Memorial State University
- Dr. Teody C. San Andres – Bulacan State University
- Dr. Renante A. Egcas – State University of Northern Negros
- Dr. Samson L. Molao – Sultan Kudarat State University
- Dr. Christie Jean Ganiera – Northern Bukidnon State College
- Dr. Lilybeth M. Matunhay – Davao de Oro State College
- Dr. Joy M. Sorrosa – Davao del Norte State College
- Dr. Augie E. Fuentes – Davao del Sur State College
- Dr. Bonifacio G. Gabales, Jr. – University of Southeastern Philippines
- Dr. Jonald Pimentel – University of Southern Mindanao
- Dr. Nemesio G. Loayon – North Eastern Mindanao State University
- Dr. Baby Boy Benjamin D. Nebres III – Bicol University
- Dr. Cherry I. Ultra – University of Eastern Philippines
- Dr. Ma. Carla A. Ochotorena – Western Mindanao State University
- Dr. Maria Rio Abdon Naguit – Jose Rizal Memorial State University
- Prof. Charisma S. Ututalum, CESE – Sulu State College
- Dr. Diosdado P. Zulueta – Marinduque State University
- Dr. Joy Grace P. Doctor – Kalinga State University
- Dr. Enya Marie D. Apostol – Mindoro State University
- Dr. Jaime I. Manuel Jr. – Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University
- Dr. Elbert M. Galas – Pangasinan State University
- Dr. Rhodora R. Jugo – Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology
- Dr. Kenneth Alip Laruan – Benguet State University
- Dr. Wilfredo A. Dumale Jr. – Nueva Vizcaya State University
- Dr. Arthur G. Ibañez – Cagayan State University
- Dr. Haipa A. Salain – Basilan State College
- Dr. Amado A. Oliva Jr. – Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges
- Dr. Merian C. Mani – Romblon State University
- Dr. Mario R. Briones – Laguna State Polytechnic University
- Dr. Nancy T. Pascual – University of Rizal System
- Dr. Nelson P. Cabral – Zamboanga Peninsula Polytechnic State University
- Dr. Sema G. Dilna – Cotabato State University
- Atty. Angelo A. Jimenez – University of the Philippines
- Dr. Daniel Ariaso, Sr. – Cebu Normal University
- Dr. Bert J. Tuga – Philippine Normal University
- Dr. Amabel S. Liao – Western Philippines University
Kabataan Party-list warned that the shortfall compels SUCs to rely on income-generating projects or collect fees directly from students, thereby threatening the accessibility of public education.
It was stressed by the administrators that education must remain the government’s highest budgetary priority, especially as students continue to face learning crises across all levels.*
Reymund Titong is a Filipino journalist steadily building his voice in the field of news reporting, driven by a commitment to tell meaningful and relevant stories.
He serves as a correspondent for Rappler, maintains a personal blog on Medium, and is the communications officer of Hope Builders Organization Negros Island.