The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has approved P3.41 billion funding to cover the cost of tertiary education for all Filipino students enrolled in technical vocational institutions.
Budget Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman said the DBM approved a P3.41 billion Special Allotment Release Order (SARO) to the Department of Labor and Employment – Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (DOLE-TESDA).
Pangandaman said the budget, with its corresponding Notice of Cash Allocation (NCA), will be used to fund the implementation of the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education (UAQTE) Act.
She said the timely release of funds is one of the government’s initiatives to empower Filipinos since the Marcos administration puts a high premium on the education of Filipinos and human capital development.
To recall, President Marcos in his budget message said, “We will upskill and reskill our labor force by implementing measures that support continuing education, digital learning, training and redeployment.”
“The best investment for the youth of our country is education. The Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education will ensure that no Filipino student is left behind,” Pangandaman said in a statement.
The amount will cover the payment of tuition fees, miscellaneous fees, accident insurance, trainee provision, health/protective equipment, internet allowance, starter tool kits, national assessment fees and other school fees of beneficiaries for the year.
DOLE-TESDA has 54,783 target beneficiaries for the UAQTE program in 2023 which will be implemented through Diploma Programs nationwide.
The P3.41 billion allotment is chargeable against DOLE-TESDA’s regular budget under the 2023 General Appropriations Act (GAA).