Senator Christopher “Bong” Go welcomed the enactment of Republic Act 12325, which strengthens the country’s free tertiary education program by prioritizing poor and disadvantaged students and expanding government support beyond public colleges and universities.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed the measure on 4 September, amending Republic Act 10931 or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act. The new law tightens the targeting of the Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES), giving top priority to qualified students from Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program households.

Go was among the authors and co-sponsors of Senate Bill 1894, which became part of the strengthened law. His Senate Bill 169, which sought to expand TES coverage, was among the measures consolidated into SB 1894.

“As one of the authors, the core intention of this bill is very clear: To ensure that the Tertiary Education Subsidy allocation is granted to those students who are truly in need,” Go said.

Under RA 12325, remaining TES slots will be allocated based on household per capita income. Subsidies may vary depending on undergraduate programs, with additional incentives for priority courses important to national development.

The law also allows internship and Related Learning Experience fees for nursing and allied health programs to be covered by the subsidy. It establishes a Private Education Assistance program for disadvantaged students enrolled in priority programs at qualified private higher education and technical-vocational institutions.

Go said educational assistance should help students stay in school until they earn a degree, diploma or technical-vocational qualification.

He said free tuition alone does not remove other barriers facing poor students, including transportation, training requirements, learning materials, food and other daily expenses.

The senator cited Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) scholarship beneficiaries Maria Geraldine Gimao and Luisa Intia, who both completed Bachelor of Science in Psychology degrees. Gimao, a mother of three, graduated cum laude, while Intia received an Academic Achiever award.

“Many students want to finish their studies, and many parents make sacrifices to send their children to school. So, if there is a way for us to ease their burden and help them reach graduation, we should do it,” Go said.

Go also cited his support for Republic Act 11984, or the No Permit, No Exam Prohibition Act, and Republic Act 12006, or the Free College Entrance Examinations Act.