Senator Bam Aquino on Monday reaffirmed his commitment to strengthen the country's Free College Law and secure sufficient funding for its continued implementation as Republic Act No. 10931, or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, marked its ninth anniversary.
Aquino, the principal sponsor of the landmark law during the 17th Congress, said the measure has transformed the lives of thousands of Filipino students and their families by making higher education more accessible.
“Siyam na taon na ang nakalipas mula nang maisabatas ang Libreng Kolehiyo—isang batas na nagpabago ng buhay ng libo-libong kabataan at kanilang pamilya. Mag-iisang dekada na, pero hanggang ngayon, isa pa rin ito sa mga pinakamahalagang bahagi ng aking paglalakbay bilang lingkod-bayan,” Aquino said in a Facebook post.
Now serving as chairperson of the Senate Committee on Basic Education and vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, Aquino said he will continue pushing for increased funding to allow more students to benefit from free tertiary education.
“Ngayong 2026, ipinaglaban natin ang P67 bilyon para sa pagpapatuloy ng Libreng Kolehiyo bilang bahagi ng makasaysayang P1.34 trilyong budget para sa edukasyon—ang pinakamalaking pondong inilaan para sa edukasyon sa kasaysayan ng ating bansa. Patuloy nating babantayan at ipaglalaban ang pondong ito upang matiyak na hindi ito mababawasan, kundi lalo pang madaragdagan para mas marami pang kabataang Pilipino ang makinabang sa Libreng Kolehiyo,” he said.
Aquino also highlighted that the Free College Law was the result of a collective effort among lawmakers, educators, student groups, civil society organizations, and Filipinos who supported its passage.
To further enhance the program, Aquino filed Senate Bill No. 130, which seeks to expand the Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) under the Free College Law. The measure guarantees TES grants for qualified beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) who enroll in CHED-recognized higher education institutions or TESDA-recognized technical-vocational schools.
The bill also proposes continued TES assistance until students complete their degree or technical-vocational program, provided they maintain satisfactory academic performance. It likewise expands the subsidy to cover internship and Related Learning Experience (RLE) fees, as well as one-time expenses for professional licensure or certification.
Aquino said the proposed reforms aim to ensure that more financially disadvantaged Filipino students receive the support they need to finish their education and pursue their career aspirations.
