April 14, 2025

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. approved to augment the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) fund to support the continuous delivery of Free Higher Education to CHED-recognized local colleges and universities (LUCs).

The President has authorized the use of P577,122,033.08 to address a deficiency in the funding for Free Higher Education reimbursements for CHED-recognized LUCs.

The augmentation was made following the recommendation of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) dated March 13, 2025, and the representations made by CHED.

“Of all state expenditures, education delivers the best dividends. This administration remains committed to the continuing provision of free tertiary education in public universities and colleges for qualified students as provided under the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act,” President Marcos Jr. said during the first National Higher Education Summit.

“We thank the President for approving our request to augment the funding for the Free Higher Education program under the UAQTEA, as part of the continuing appropriations of the Fiscal Year 2024 General Appropriations Act or the RA 11975. We would like to also thank DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman for endorsing the Commission’s request for fund augmentation to the President. This is a testament that the national government considers higher education as a priority and is committed to ensure the continuous delivery of free tertiary education,” CHED Secretary Popoy De Vera said.

“Consistent with this administration’s assurance to continue the Free Higher Education program, CHED, through the UniFAST, remains on track in delivering its commitment to accessible and equitable higher education for all Filipinos,” he added.

This funding realignment falls under the provisions of Republic Act 10931 or the UAQTEA, which mandates free tuition and other school fees for Filipino students enrolled at CHED-recognized LUCs being implemented by CHED through the UniFAST Secretariat.

The augmentation will cover tuition and thirteen (13) other school fees of tertiary level students included in more than three hundred fifty thousand (350,000) students enrolled in LUCs.

(SIGNED)
J. PROSPERO E. DE VERA III, DPA
Chairman
Commission on Higher Education
UniFAST Governing Board