By Merlina Hernando-Malipot
College students in Davao region will soon benefit from Free Higher Education as higher education institutions (HEIs), technical vocational institutions (TVIs) along with the local government vowed to support the implementation of Republic Act (RA) 10931 or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act (UAQTEA).
Local government officials in Davao, home of President Rodrigo Duterte, expressed support to the UAQTEA during the ninth leg of the Nationwide Information Caravan on RA 10931 led by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).
Held at the University of Southeastern Philippines recently, Presidential daughter and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio expressed support for the full implementation of the monumental law and urged students to consider the program a “blessing” and a favor that will “take you closer to your and your family’s aspiration.”
“Let it be known that the Davao City government is one with you in hopes that in time, education can truly become a right and no longer just privilege among young Filipino hopefuls,” she said in a statement read by Philippine Councilors League’s National Chairman and Davao City Councilor Danilo Dayanghirang.
Starting Academic Year (AY) 2018-2019, UAQTEA will provide free tuition, miscellaneous and other similar or related fees as defined in the law’s Implementing Rules and Regulations to students admitted in State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) and CHED-recognized Local Universities and Colleges (LUCs). It also provides a Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) or grants-in-aid, free Technical-Vocational Education and Training (TVET) for those enrolled in state-run Technical Vocational Institutions (TVIs), and a national Student Loan Program (SLP).
Davao City 1st District Representative Karlo Nograles, who is also the House Appropriations Committee Chairperson, guaranteed the budgetary support for the Free Higher Education Law in the coming years.