The Senate is unlocking its largest-ever funding package for free higher education, a move expected to benefit 5.7 million students in State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) and Local Universities and Colleges (LUCs) for 2026.
Senator Bam Aquino said Friday. November 28 that the Senate allocated P26 billion for SUCs to ensure that 5.2 million learners continue receiving support under the Free College Law (RA 10931).
He said the chamber also set aside P6.7 billion for LUCs, covering another 500,000 students, and released P4.4 billion to settle prior-year SUC deficiencies—bringing total funding for the law to P67 billion.
Aquino said the Senate approved P27.3 billion for the Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) and P2.7 billion for the Tulong Dunong Program (TDP). These programs provide food, books, transportation, and living allowances for financially challenged students in both public and private schools.
For 2026, the senator said that the government expects 1.5 million students to receive TES and TDP assistance, including 490,000 learners from the Pantawid Pamilya Pilipino Program (4Ps). Depending on their category, students will receive P15,000, P20,000, or P27,000.
Aquino said the expanded support comes at a crucial time, as many students continue to struggle with rising living costs and families still face economic pressures. He added that 70 percent of students in SUCs and LUCs graduate, the highest completion rate in the region.
To strengthen accountability, Aquino called on all schools to publish the list of TES beneficiaries and allow the public to verify whether funds reach the intended students.
He said the public has long demanded greater transparency and that publishing the lists will help “ensure every peso goes to the student it is meant for.”
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.