Sen. Loren Legarda welcomed the bicameral approval of the proposed Basic Education Voucher Program Act, saying the measure will help decongest public schools, improve learning conditions, and expand educational opportunities for Filipino students.

The reconciled version of Senate Bill No. 1981 and House Bill No. 4744 seeks to institutionalize a unified private education voucher system by amending Republic Act No. 6728, or the Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education Act.

Legarda, a co-author and co-sponsor of the measure, said the bill comes at a crucial time as overcrowded classrooms and high student-to-teacher ratios continue to undermine learning outcomes, limit teacher attention, and affect students' well-being.

She added that recent incidents of school violence have underscored the need for safer and more supportive learning environments where teachers can provide closer guidance to students.

"By expanding access to private education through the voucher system, students who would otherwise be crowded into overstretched public schools gain additional opportunities to learn in less congested, more supportive environments," Legarda said.

She said private schools play a vital role in complementing the public education system by accommodating more learners and helping improve classroom conditions.

Under the measure, participating private schools will be required to undergo quality assurance, administer national assessments, and publicly disclose performance data. Teachers will also benefit from in-service training, salary subsidies, and graduate scholarships.

Legarda said the measure reinforces education as "the nation's greatest equalizer" by expanding access to quality basic education while maximizing public resources.

The Basic Education Voucher Program Act now awaits ratification by both chambers before it is transmitted to Malacañang for the President's signature.