27 more LUCs included in free higher education law implementation

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education (UniFAST) has signed pacts with 27 local universities and colleges (LUCs) cementing their inclusion in the implementation of Republic Act 10931 or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act (UAQTEA).

CHED chairperson J. Prospero de Vera III said that the signing of separate memoranda of agreement (MOA) with the 27 LUCs newly recognized by CHED authorizes them to implement free higher education and give Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) to their students starting this year. 

Under Section 3 of RA 10931, LUCs must be compliant with the policies, standards and guidelines of CHED in order to be included in the coverage of the law. These LUCs were evaluated by the Commission and have obtained institutional recognition or full program compliance of CHED policies and standards.

“These 27 LUCs will now add to the 76 existing LUCs providing access to free and quality higher education so that more deserving Filipino students can benefit from them. This was the commitment of President Rodrigo Duterte when he ran for President in 2016 and CHED is making sure that this promise is enjoyed by more Filipinos,” De Vera said. 

CHED also signed a MOA with the Private Education Assistance Committee (PEAC) and Landbank of the Philippines in connection with the inclusion of the 27 LUCs.

The MOA signed between Landbank President and CEO Cecilia Borromeo and the CHED represented by De Vera, will allow LBP to co-implement the TES Program through the issuance of cash cards to student-grantees so they can get their stipends wherever they live. LBP has the widest network of branches in the country and can be easily accessed by student beneficiaries.

Among the 27 LUCs are the Dr. Filemon C. Aguilar Memorial College of Las Piñas; Navotas Polytechnic College; City of Malabon University; Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Pasig; Valenzuela City Polytechnic College; Pateros Technological College; Taguig City University for the National Capital Region.

Also included are Gordon College in Region 3; One Cainta College in Region 4; Tiwi Community College in Region 5; Bacolod City College in Region 6; Mandaue City College, Cordova Public College, Talisay City College, Madridejos Community College, Consolacion Community College, Lapu-Lapu City College, Talibon Polytechnic College which are all in Region 7;  Burauen Community College, Abuyog Community College, Colegio De Las Navas, Community College of Gingoog City in Region 8; City College of El Salvador, Salay Community College, Tubod College, and Don Carlos Polytechnic College in Region 10; and Sto. Tomas College of Agriculture Sciences and Technology in Region 11.