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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Strict vetting needed to prevent rich kids from enjoying free college education program--Rodriguez

Strict vetting needed to prevent rich kids from enjoying free college education program--Rodriguez

Published Aug 24, 2023 02:03 am

At A Glance

  • Cagayan de Oro City 2nd district Rep. Rufus Rodriguez wants the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) as well as state and local universities and colleges to strictly vet students applying for the government's free college education program. 

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Cagayan de Oro City 2nd district Rep. Rufus Rodriguez (Facebook)

Cagayan de Oro City 2nd district Rep. Rufus Rodriguez wants the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) as well as state and local universities and colleges to strictly vet students applying for the government’s free college education program.

Rodriguez made the call amid criticisms made by Department of Finance (DOF) Secretary Benjamin Diokno on the program, as embodied in Republic Act (RA) No.10931 or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act.

Rodriguez said that this strict screening will ensure that only those qualified get the assistance offers by the law.

He said many concerned citizens have claimed that the University of the Philippines (UP) has become the “university of the rich” because the parking lots in its Diliman campus in Quezon City are lined high-end cars and sport utility vehicles during classes.

“I hope these are not the students who receive financial assistance from the government under RA No.10931,” said the veteran solon from Mindanao.

His remarks notwithstanding, Rodriguez insisted that the free college education program should continue.

“I am against the proposal to stop the program because it benefits many poor but deserving high school graduates who cannot otherwise pursue college education without government financial assistance. Congress can and should continue to fund it," he said.

Besides, Rodriguez said that free college education is not available to all those seeking enrollment in state and local colleges and universities, and is limited only to poor but deserving students.

He said that free tertiary education has beenvallocated P51.1 billion in the proposed P5.768-trillion National Expenditure Program (NEP) for 2024.

“P51.1 billion is a small fraction of the spending proposal for next year. It’s less than one percent,” he stressed.

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rich kid Benjamin Diokno Rufus Rodriguez free college education
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