House pools P16 B for free college tuition

MANILA, Philippines - The House of Representatives is pooling together funds totaling P16 billion from state schools and other agencies to use for free tuition in state universities and colleges (SUCs).

After meeting yesterday with officials of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), appropriations committee chairman Rep. Karlo Nograles of Davao City said they have found an initial amount for the free tuition next year.

He said the funds would come from the various scholarship projects of SUCs, CHED, Department of Health, Department of Agriculture, Department of Science and Technology, Department of Environment and Natural Resources and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.

Nograles said all other scholarship funds his committee would find in the proposed P3.8-trillion 2018 national budget would go to the implementation of Republic Act No. 10931, or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act.

“Right now, we know we have P16 billion. Within the next 15 days, we will wait for CHED to give us the final estimated number of students and budget needed for next year. If we need more funds, we will consider sourcing the money from departments and agencies that are underspending and underperforming,” Nograles said.

He pointed out the initial estimate was that the program would cost P30 billion for next year.

Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte said the Senate should speed up the passage of the proposed tax reform law to help fund new programs like free education in SUCs and free irrigation for farmers.

“The speedy approval by the Senate and the subsequent passage by the Congress of the proposed Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Act (TRAIN) has never been made more urgent than now, following the President’s signing of these two laws that concretely demonstrate his commitment to realize his inclusive growth agenda,” he said.

Villafuerte said TRAIN would not only help the administration finance these programs but would also further strengthen the country’s creditworthiness and ensure fiscal stability.

“Education is the great social equalizer. The law providing free tuition in SUCs will go a long way in helping government achieve economic inclusion for all and sharpen the skills of its young, dynamic workforce,” he stressed.

For his part, Isabela Rep. Rodolfo Albano III suggested that aside from funds of underperforming agencies, allocations for non-essential expenditures, activities and projects like seminars, training, travel and representation could be reduced to fund free college education.

“We can sacrifice and even forgo non-essential spending so we can provide free education to those enrolled in state colleges and universities who come mostly from poor families,” he said.

Albano said appropriations for less important activities, projects and programs amount to tens of billions a year.

“We can even cut allocations for fuel, oil and lubricants, and vehicle procurement if necessary,” Albano added.

President Duterte has admitted that he signed RA 10931 even if he knew that there were no funds for it.