Saying that education is "the best investment", House Speaker Isabela 6th district Rep. Faustino “Bojie” Dy III has hailed the Bicameral Conference Committee's approval of the proposed private basic education voucher program.

Dy says the development brings the government a step closer to expanding access to quality basic education, giving more Filipino families greater educational choices while reinforcing the vital role of private schools as partners in nation-building.

On Thursday, the bicam approved the reconciled version of House Bill (HB) No. 4744 and Senate Bill (SB) No. 1981, and harmonized the provisions of both measures even after the first regular session of the 20th Congress had adjourned sine die.

“Education remains the best investment we can make for our country’s future. By strengthening the voucher program, we are giving more Filipino families meaningful educational choices while supporting the important role that private schools play in our education system,” said the Speaker.

Dy said the measure underscores the government’s commitment to ensuring that every Filipino child has access to quality education regardless of economic circumstance.

“Layunin ng panukalang ito na bigyan ng mas maraming pagpipilian ang mga magulang at mas maraming pagkakataon ang kanilang mga anak na makatanggap ng dekalidad na edukasyon. Walang batang Pilipino ang dapat mapagkaitan ng pagkakataong matuto dahil lamang sa kakulangan sa kakayahang pinansyal,” Dy said.

(The aim of this measure is to give parents more choices and provide children more opportunities to receive quality education. No Filipino child should be deprived of the chance to learn simply because of financial limitations.)

The House contingent to the bicam was led by Committee on Basic Education and Culture Chairperson and Pasig City lone district Rep. Roman Romulo.

Also representing the House were Committee on Higher and Technical Education Chairperson and Tingog Party-list Rep. Jude Acidre, Valenzuela City 1st district Rep. Kenneth Gatchalian, Sorsogon 1st district Rep. Bernadette Escudero, and Akbayan Party-list Rep. Jose Manuel Tadeo “Chel” Diokno.

Representing the Senate were Senators Bam Aquino and Camille Villar, together with officials of the Department of Education.

The House approved HB No. 4744 on third and final reading on Oct. 13, 2025. It is one of the 26 Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) priority measures approved by the House before the first regular session formally adjourned.

According to Dy, “every reform we pursue is ultimately about creating better opportunities for every Filipino. Our goal is to ensure that government works better for our people today while building stronger institutions for generations to come.”

Under the Basic Education Voucher Assistance Act, voucher assistance will be expanded to learners from Kindergarten to Grade 12, allowing more families to access available spaces in qualified private schools, especially in communities where public schools are already congested or where learners have limited options.

The significance of the measure's bicam approval wasn't lost to Acidre.

He said the measure responds to the daily realities faced by many Filipino children whose learning conditions are affected by overcrowded classrooms, shortened learning time, shifting schedules, and limited education options.

“For many Filipino children, the lack of classroom space is not just a policy issue. It is felt in crowded rooms, shortened learning time, shifting schedules, overburdened teachers, and parents who worry whether their children are truly getting the education they deserve,” Acidre said.

He said the government must remain committed to building more classrooms, strengthening public schools, supporting teachers, and improving facilities. At the same time, he stressed that learners who need help now should not have to wait for every classroom gap to be addressed before government acts.

“We must continue to build more classrooms, strengthen our public schools, and invest in the long-term needs of basic education. But we must also be honest: our learners cannot wait for every classroom gap to be filled before we act. Where there is existing capacity, we must use it wisely. Where there is need, government must respond with urgency,” Acidre said.

The bicam report will be submitted to both the House of Representatives and the Senate for ratification before it is transmitted to President Marcos Jr. for signature into law.