Iloilo 1st district Rep. Janette Garin (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)

House Deputy Majority Leader Iloilo 1st district Rep.Janette Garin is batting for the use of raided Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) hubs as dormitories for deserving students. 

During the plenary deliberations of the 2025 General Approriations Bill (GAB) on Wednesday, Garin raised that among the problems being faced by the students was the high price of rental fees for dormitories. 

"Actually, ang isang pinaka-challenging na gastusin ng isang estudyante ay 'yung boarding house, 'yung dormitory, especially so that this is mostly provided by the private sector and hindi nakokontrol 'yung presyo, 'yung bayarin," she said. 

(Actually, one of the most challenging expenditures for a student is the boarding house, the dormitory, especially so that this is mostly provided by the private sector and the price or cost can't be controlled.) 

"At the appropriate time, Madam Speaker, it's not applicable all over the country, but for Region 3, napakaganda talaga na 'yung mga POGO hub, na mga scam hub na na-discover ay makuha ng gobyerno at gawing extension campuses as well as dormitories ng ating karapat-dapat na estudyante," noted Garin. 

(It would really be great if the government can acquire these POGO hubs, these scam hubs and turn them into extension campuses as well as dormitories for our deserving students.) 

ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro, the deputy majority leader, agreed with Garin's suggestion. 

Citing a research titled "Enhancing Access and Success in SUCs," the Iloilo lawmaker and former Department of Health (DOH) secretary also mentioned that financial constraints was the top problem of students. 

SUCs stand for state universities and colleges. 

Garin is the sponsor of the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) budget under the 2025 General Appropriations Bill (GAB). 

Garin likewise pointed out that the proposed 2025 budget for CHEd is not an expenditure but an investment in the future for the country. 

"It is an investment in the future of our nation, and every peso allocated to higher education yields a return in the form of educated, skilled, and empowered citizens who will contribute to the country's economic growth and social troubles." 

The 300-plus strong House is targeting to pass the 2025 GAB on the third and final reading by Sept. 25. The plenary debates started last Sept. 16.