Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) president, Leyte 1st district Rep. Martin Romualdez has expressed concern over the high dropout rates in public colleges and universities.

As such, Romualdez, the House Speaker during the previous 19th Congress, batted for the strengthening of the free tertiary education law in a bid to prevent millions of students from falling through the cracks of the country’s most ambitious education reform.

“Free tuition was a landmark achievement, but the work is far from over. Nearly four out of 10 students in state universities and colleges are still dropping out. In some regions, the situation is even more alarming,” the veteran solon said in a statement Wednesday, July 23.

Citing data from the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2), Romualdez said the national dropout rate in school year 2023 to 2024 reached 39 percent. 

Most alarmign was the figure in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), where it reached as high as 93.4 percent. 

Meanwile, Central Visayas reported 60.7 percent; Zamboanga Peninsula, 59.5 percent; Cordillera, 54.9 percent; Metro Manila, 52.4 percent; Soccsksargen, 51.2 percent; and Western Visayas, 50.2 percent.

“These are not just statistics. They are shattered dreams and interrupted futures, often because students cannot afford transportation, food, rent, books or internet,” Romualdez said. 

“We need to protect and build on the gains of the Free Higher Education Law by ensuring students have the means to actually finish school,” he added.

Romualdez expressed strong support for House Resolution (HR) No. 61 filed by Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon, which sought a full review of the implementation and long-term sustainability of Republic Act (RA) 10931 or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act.

The ex-House leader said the review should focus on identifying support mechanisms beyond tuition coverage to help students complete their degrees. 

He urged the government to consider strategic interventions such as monthly stipends, transport subsidies, food allowances and digital access programs.

“This is a gap we must urgently fill. If we truly want free higher education to be a ladder out of poverty, we need to make sure our students can actually stay in school and graduate,” he said.

Romualdez also pointed to a Pulse Asia survey conducted in January 2024 and commissioned by Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, which showed that 98 percent of Filipinos support free tuition in public colleges. 

He said this overwhelming public support reflects a national mandate to strengthen and expand the law.

“The Free Higher Education Law has changed millions of lives. But transformation is not complete when so many students are forced to drop out. Our mission is not just to provide access, but to ensure completion,” he stressed.

Romualdez--believed to be a shoo-in for Speaker in the current 20th Congress--reaffirmed the House of Representatives' "commitment to championing education reforms that promote equity, youth development and long-term national growth.

“We owe it to our students to fund this law properly. We owe it to every Filipino family to give their children a real chance at a better future. And we owe it to the nation to make education a powerful equalizer, not an unfinished promise,” he said.