Legarda seeks ‘equity, inclusivity’ in tertiary educ subsidy program

Senator Loren Legarda filed a bill aimed at implementing equity and inclusivity in the allocation of the Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) program for students.

In a statement on Thursday, Legarda emphasized the need to strengthen the principles of equity and inclusivity in the distribution of education subsidies under Republic Act (RA) 10931, also known as the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act.

The TES program was established to support the cost of tertiary education — or any portion thereof — for all eligible Filipino students enrolled in undergraduate post-secondary programs at state universities and colleges (SUCs), local universities and colleges (LUCs), private higher education institutions (HEIs), and technical vocational institutions (TVIs).

As a co-author and co-sponsor of RA 10931 and Commissioner of the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II), Legarda pledged to continue ensuring accessible and equitable higher education for all Filipino students, especially those from economically disadvantaged households.

Legarda cited concerning trends observed over the years, including findings from the Second Congressional Commission on Education, which revealed a dramatic decline in the share of TES grantees from the poorest households included in the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and Listahanan. From 74.24 percent in the Academic Year (A.Y.) 2018-2019, it fell to just 30.74 percent in A.Y. 2022-2023.

She noted that student grantees from Places with no SUC/LUC (PNSL) received the majority of subsidies, with their share increasing from 25.76 percent to 69.26 percent during the same period.

“This shift warrants careful reassessment, as it challenges the intent of RA 10931, which was designed to ensure that the most vulnerable members of our society are given priority and support,” Legarda said.

In response, Legarda's Senate Bill 2905 aims to address these disparities by guaranteeing automatic TES eligibility for students from 4Ps households, provided they have completed senior high school and gained admission to a CHED-recognized higher education institution.

Under the measure, remaining TES slots will be allocated based on the ranking of applicants according to their per capita household income to ensure equitable distribution.

The bill also introduces implementation, monitoring, and quality assurance mechanisms for TES, requiring periodic evaluations, institutional and program performance assessments, and stronger quality assurance processes to ensure that TES effectively bridges the gap between poverty and opportunity.

Legarda stressed that education remains the most effective tool for breaking the cycle of poverty.

“By ensuring targeted assistance and enhancing student financing schemes, we place those most in need at the forefront of our relentless pursuit of universal and equitable access to education,” she said.

“In doing so, we not only empower individuals to realize their full potential but also drive forward the social and economic development of our nation,” the four-term senator concluded.