Go backs bill strengthening tertiary education subsidy

Senator Christopher ‘Bong’ Go on Saturday expressed full support and co-sponsored Senate Bill (SB) 514, which seeks to amend Republic Act No. 10931, the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act (UAQTEA), with a focus on refining the Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) to 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 TES so that indigent students automatically qualify as beneficiaries upon admission. 

The proposal also eliminates favoritism, ensuring that assistance is based on clear criteria rather than connections or influence.

“By strengthening the targeting mechanism of TES, 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 TES 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.

Go also recalled challenges faced during the enactment of RA 10931 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 the financial sector lobbying against its passage. 

Go reaffirmed Zubiri’s account and emphasized the continuing need to refine the subsidy to better reach students who need it most.

SB 514 aims to ensure that the Tertiary Education Subsidy remains effective, transparent, and accountable, while expanding its reach to the most vulnerable students.