Bill giving cash aid to poor students in private college, tech-voc reaches Senate

Baguio City, Philippines – Financially challenged but academically qualified students of private higher education institutions (HEIs) and private technical-vocational institutions (TVIs) may soon avail of vouchers to help offset their educational expenses.

This is if the bill establishing a voucher system for said students will be approved.

Filed in 2022, House Bill No. 7922 principally authored by Baguio City Representative Mark Go was transmitted to the Senate last month.

The measure seeks to amend Republic Act No. 10931 or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act.

“Students opting to study in private HEIs and tech-voc institutions shall be given a chance to have a fair share in the coverage of the TES (Tertiary Education Subsidy) through a voucher system. This measure will go a long way in granting educational benefits to more students,” Go earlier stated.

The voucher shall exclusively be issued to poor but qualified students who opt to study in private HEIs and private TVIs in cities and municipalities where there are existing SUCs (state universities and colleges), LUCs (local universities and colleges), and public TVIs.

The solon is hopeful that the bill will soon gain approval from the Senate and the President for the government to further extend its educational assistance.

“So gusto natin na magkaroon ng voucher na ibibigay sa kanila at yung voucher na yan ay gagamitin nila ‘pag sila ay nag-enroll. They can decide now whether they want to go to a public school or a private school,” he explained in a recent interview with Mt. Province Broadcasting Corporation – MPBC.

In cases when students enroll in a school with free tuition, they will be granted whichever is favorable to them.

“Kung malaki, halimbawa, itong amount na ito, yun ang kukunin. Kung naman hindi, yung gagamitin niya yung available na free education sa lahat ng mga public universities and colleges,” he added.

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