The House of Representatives is prioritizing measures to broaden access to quality education, led by a proposed P10.06-billion augmentation for national education programs under the proposed 2027 general appropriations, House Speaker Faustino G. Dy III said.
Speaker Dy highlighted key legislative actions aimed at assisting Filipino learners across basic and tertiary levels, emphasizing that financial hardship should not prevent students from completing their studies. Addressing youth across the country, Dy reassured students that Congress stands with them in reaching their goals and that poverty must never stand in the way of earning a diploma.
According to the House leadership, the additional funding will directly support school safety infrastructure, academic recovery programs, inclusive learning initiatives and tertiary education subsidies.
Major budgetary augmentations under the proposed 2027 allocation include P2.1 billion for the Tertiary Education Subsidy to assist qualified college students, P1.93 billion for the Basic Education Voucher Program to cover learners from kindergarten through Grade 6, P1.77 billion for the Tulong Dunong Program to expand higher education scholarships and P500 million for the School Safety and Security Program to enhance campus safety and alleviate parental security concerns.
Beyond budgetary allocations, Dy pointed to key education bills passed by the chamber, including the Basic Education Voucher Assistance Act, which expands government voucher coverage to private kindergarten and elementary schools.
Dy also noted the enacted amendments to the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, which prioritize college students from Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) households and disadvantaged backgrounds, as well as the ratification of the Presidential Merit Scholarship Program, a priority measure under the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC).