MANILA — The Department of Budget and Management has released a P3.41-billion budget for the free tuition program of the government, which will benefit over 70,000 Filipino learners.
Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman approved the special allotment release order amounting to P3.41 billion to the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
The amount includes P1.77 billion in notices of cash allocation for the first quarter of the year.
The fund will finance the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education (UAQTE), which will ensure 74,262 learners of free and subsidized tuition. Apart from tuition, the fund will also cover miscellaneous fees, accident insurance, trainee provision, internet allowance, starter tool kits, national assessment fees and other school charges.
The fund released is chargeable against DOLE’s regular budget under the 2024 General Appropriations Act.
Pangandaman earlier said it is important to support the youth by developing their skills. She committed to continue helping democratize access to quality education.
The UAQTE formalized the zero-cost education and waivers of additional charges in state universities and colleges as well as in local universities and colleges.
Signed during the first year of the Duterte administration in 2017, the law exempts qualified college students enrolled in a bachelor’s degree, certificate degree or any comparable undergraduate degree from paying tuition and other school fees.
