House moves to improve access to education

“Sa bawat kabataang Pilipino na nagsisikap para maabot ang kanilang mga pangarap, katuwang ninyo ang Kongreso. Hindi dapat maging hadlang ang kahirapan para hindi makapagtapos ng pag-aaral ang kabataang Pilipino.”

This was the message of House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” G. Dy III on Monday evening as he announced that the House of Representatives has provided for an additional 10.06 billion pesos for education programs in the proposed 2027 national budget, as well as the passage of measures to help more Filipino students enter school, continue their studies, and graduate.

According to the Speaker, the budget additions would support school safety, inclusive learning, academic recovery, and access to quality tertiary education.

The education augmentations include ₱2.1 billion for the Tertiary Education Subsidy, ₱1.93 billion for the Basic Education Voucher Program to assist learners from kindergarten through Grade 6, and ₱1.77 billion for the Tulong Dunong Program.

The House also allocated an additional ₱500 million for the School Safety and Security Program to help protect students and address parents’ concerns about their children’s safety.

“Bukod sa proteksyon ng ating mga anak, kailangan din nating tiyakin na mayroon silang pagkakataong makapag-aral, makapagtapos, at magkaroon ng magandang kinabukasan,” Dy said.

Beyond the budget, Speaker Dy cited the House’s approval on third reading of the Basic Education Voucher Assistance Act, which seeks to expand voucher assistance to kindergarten and elementary learners.

“Ang Basic Education Voucher Assistance Act—na magpapalawak ng voucher assistance hanggang kindergarten at elementary learners—ay naipasa na natin sa third reading,” he said.

Dy also cited the enacted amendments to the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, which give priority to students from Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) households and expand assistance for disadvantaged students.

“Naipasa na rin bilang batas ang mga pagbabago sa Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, na nagbibigay ng prayoridad sa mga mag-aaral mula sa 4Ps families at nagpapalawak ng tulong para sa disadvantaged students,” he said.

The Speaker also reported the ratification of the Presidential Merit Scholarship Program, a LEDAC priority measure, as part of the chamber’s work to make education more accessible to Filipino youth.