Speaker Dy: More Filipino youth to benefit from expanded free college law

House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” G. Dy III said amendments to the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act would give more Filipino students the opportunity to enter college or technical-vocational training, and support them through to completion.

Dy made the statement at the ceremonial signing of Republic Act No. 12325, or the Act Enhancing the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, held at Malacañan Palace.

“For many families, it is not enough for their child to simply enter college. The real success is seeing them graduate, find a decent job and improve the life of the entire family,” Dy said.

Who attended the signing?

Dy joined President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., Senate President Sherwin “Win” T. Gatchalian, Education Secretary Juan Edgardo “Sonny” M. Angara, Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Chairperson Shirley C. Agrupis, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Secretary Jose Francisco “Kiko” B. Benitez, and other congressional leaders at the ceremonial signing.

What Dy Highlighted About the Law

Dy pointed to two provisions in particular as central to the law’s goal of helping students not just enter college, but finish their degrees:

1. Priority tertiary education subsidies for 4Ps households:

Under the law, qualified students from Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) households will receive priority in the grant of tertiary education subsidies, extending support to qualified 4Ps graduates admitted to government-recognized higher education and technical-vocational institutions.

2. A Private Education Assistance Program:

RA 12325 establishes this program to provide government grants to poor and deserving students pursuing priority programs in qualified private higher education institutions and technical-vocational institutions.

“When worries about transportation, books, food and other education expenses are reduced, students can focus more on their dreams. This assistance is not only for the student; it is an investment in the future of their family,” Dy said.

READ: RA 12325: CHED Highlights New TES Benefits for Disadvantaged Students

Why Dy Says the bill moved quickly

Dy, the Isabela lawmaker, thanked House members and leaders for acting urgently on the measure, noting it was among the priority bills identified by the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC). He credited the House’s coordination with the Senate in reconciling and passing the legislation.

“I thank our leaders and members of the House who acted promptly and united to pass this important measure. We have shown that Congress responds immediately when the future of Filipino youth is at stake,” Dy said.

Congress’ Role After the Signing

Dy said Congress’ responsibility does not end with the law’s enactment. He said the House will exercise oversight and closely monitor:

• The formulation of the law’s implementing rules and regulations (IRR).
• The distribution of subsidies to qualified students.
• Concerned government agencies’ compliance with the law’s provisions.

“The House will monitor the implementation of this law to ensure that the funds reach students who truly need them properly and quickly. This law will only be meaningful when our people feel its benefits,” Dy said.

READ: RA 12325 Explained for College and TVET Students

What this means for students right now

As with the law’s other provisions, the priority subsidy for 4Ps households and the new Private Education Assistance Program are not yet open for direct application.

These depend on implementing rules still to be issued by CHED, TESDA, and UniFAST, which Dy said the House will be monitoring closely. In the meantime, current and prospective TES applicants should continue using existing CHED-UniFAST channels through their schools.

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