Senator Christopher “Bong” Go expressed full support and co-sponsored Senate Bill 514, which seeks to amend Republic Act 10931, or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, to refine the Tertiary Education Subsidy and ensure it reaches students in genuine need.

Go, one of the authors of the measure, said the bill aims to strengthen the targeting and prioritization mechanism of the subsidy so that indigent students automatically qualify as beneficiaries upon admission.

The proposal also seeks to eliminate favoritism by ensuring assistance is based on clear criteria rather than connections or influence.

“By strengthening the targeting mechanism of the subsidy, government resources will go to the right beneficiaries — the indigent, the marginalized, and financially struggling students who might otherwise be forced to stop schooling,” Go said.

The bill provides that recipients will continue to enjoy tuition and other school fee support, as well as additional benefits such as scholarships, grants, and incentives tied to academic performance and financial need.

Hurdles

Go recalled challenges faced during the enactment of the law in 2017, including opposition from some government finance officials and a near-veto situation.

He said the measure was defended and ultimately signed into law, making free college education accessible to students across state universities and colleges.

Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri also highlighted the collaborative effort behind the original law and confirmed lobbying from the financial sector against its passage.