Gatchalian vows more classrooms for state universities

Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian has committed to provide more funding for the construction of classrooms in state universities and colleges (SUCs) as enrollment in public higher education continues to increase.

Speaking during the Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC) annual convention in Pasay City, PASUC President Tirso A. Ronquillo said Gatchalian also pledged to sustain government funding for the country's free higher education program.

Ronquillo said the Senate leadership assured SUCs that efforts would be made to prevent funding deficiencies that had affected the program in previous years.

Despite receiving a higher budget this year, PASUC said funding remains inadequate, particularly for capital outlay needed to build classrooms and upgrade facilities.

According to Ronquillo, only about 20 percent of the association's requested budget was approved, with most of the allocation going to personnel services and maintenance instead of infrastructure.

The PASUC convention gathered leaders of state universities and colleges nationwide to discuss governance, leadership, innovation, and recent policies affecting higher education, while renewing its call for sustained government investment in the country's public universities.