Sorsogon Governor Chiz Escudero urged college students to avail of the tertiary education subsidy (TES) which gives around P60,000 tuition subsidy and allowances to those enrolled in private colleges and universities.
The governor said this provision in Republic Act 10931 or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act has not been well promoted and therefore not accessed by its intended beneficiaries.
“Pwede kang mag-apply para sa TES Scholarship kung saan magbibigay sila ng P60,000 pang-tuition fee mo plus allowances pa.”
“Merong probisyon iyang batas na yan na TES—Tertiary Education Subsidy—ibig sabihin hindi lang limitado sa nag-aaral sa state universities and colleges ang libre. Kung nag-aaral ka sa isang private university, puwede kang mag-apply para sa TES Scholarship kung saan magbibigay sila ng P60,000 pang-tuition fee mo plus allowances pa,” said Escudero, a staunch supporter of free education when he was a senator.
He said this was in recognition of the fact that not all courses are available in state universities and colleges (SUCs) and that not all municipalities have SUCs so some students are compelled to study in private schools, despite the heavy financial burden.
“Gusto namin ipakita at patunayan na hindi lang pang-mayaman ang mga private universities and colleges. Dapat may oportunidad din ang bawat Pilipino kahit hindi pinanganak na mayaman na makapag-aral sa mga unibersidad na ‘yan,” Escudero said.
He said students should first make sure that their schools are accredited by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) so they can apply with the CHED for the subsidy and allowance under the TES.
“The TES does not have a grade requirement.”
Escudero pointed out that the TES does not have a grade requirement.
“Hindi namin nilagay iyon basta pumapasa ka. Huwag ka namang bumagsak. Hindi kinakailangan maging honor, ang importante pumasa at makapagtapos sa kolehiyo,” he said.
In 2019, only 33% of Filipinos, or 3 out of 10 were enrolled in higher education institutions, much lower than Thailand’s 43% and Malaysia’s 44%, according to CHED.
In 2010, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) found that only 36.3% of Filipinos 17 to 24 years old had post-secondary and college education.
Escudero, former chair of the Senate Committee on Education, said the TES was meant to support college students, whether in public or private schools.
“Titingnan ng CHED ‘yung kalagayan economically ng pamilya niyo para malaman kung magkano, sakto ba ang ibibigay na tulong para makapag-aral at makapagtapos ka sa ano mang kursong pinili mo sa isang pribadong eskwelahan,” he concluded.
