Prioritize budget for students — solon
FORMER Speaker and now Davao del Norte Representative Pantaleon Alvarez made this call to the national government as it continues to fully implement the law for the benefit of the Filipino people.
For the past six years the government is offering free tuition to all students of state and local universities and colleges (SUCs).
It was during the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte and Alvarez as the Speaker of the House when R.A. 10931, otherwise known as the “Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act,” was signed into law.
It institutionalized free tuition and exemption from other fees in state universities and colleges, and local universities and colleges (LUCs). Said law provides underprivileged Filipino students a chance to earn a college degree without paying for their tuition.
Alvarez played a pivotal role in pushing for the passage of the bill through the legislative process. Further, the initial budget earmarked by the House committee on Appropriations for 2018 was P40 billion, ensuring the fulfilment of all expenses outlined in the law.
“I was very happy when President Duterte signed R.A. 10931 into law. Despite concerns raised by some groups about the costs, his administration found a way to make it work. Kinailangan lang mag realign ng budget, nagawan naman ng paraan at malinaw ang mensahe. When it comes to the Filipino youth, there is no such thing as an excessive investment. Ang bottomline, bayan din ang makikinabang,” he said.
At the local level, for the 1st District of Davao del Norte, Alvarez mirrored the emphasis on the importance of education for his constituents. He actively supported the funding of scholarships through the Commission on Higher Education’s (CHED) Tulong Dunong Program for deserving underprivileged students. As of date, and since Alvarez was elected into office in 2016, a total of 4,736 scholars have benefited – and graduated – through the program.
