President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has signed legislation strengthening the country’s free tertiary education program and expanding financial support for Filipino students, particularly those from economically disadvantaged families.
Marcos signed Republic Act No. 12325, also known as the Act Enhancing the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act (UAQTE), during a ceremony at Malacañan Palace in Manila on Friday.
The measure seeks to improve access to affordable and quality higher education by strengthening existing government assistance and introducing additional mechanisms to help students overcome financial difficulties.
Marcos said the amended law reinforces his administration’s efforts to ensure that students who struggle to afford higher education, including qualified beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), receive appropriate support.
“The original law made tuition and other school fees free in public higher education and state-run technical-vocational institutions while providing assistance to learners with limited financial means through the Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES),” he said.
“Today, we take that another step further. The amendments ensure that government assistance reaches those who need it most, particularly students from poor and disadvantaged families, including qualified 4Ps beneficiaries.”
Among the major provisions of RA 12325 is the requirement for all state universities and colleges (SUCs), local universities and colleges (LUCs), and state-run technical-vocational institutions (TVIs) to establish Equity and Inclusion Plans.
These plans are intended to provide targeted assistance to students from disadvantaged backgrounds, including measures such as fee waivers and priority access to institutional facilities.
The law also expands the Tertiary Education Subsidy, introduces assistance for students enrolled in private educational institutions, provides for periodic adjustments to financial grants, and strengthens monitoring and accountability mechanisms.
The expanded TES will cover additional expenses, including internships or Related Learning Experiences, professional licensure costs, and allowances intended for students with disabilities. Qualified beneficiaries may also receive a one-year extension to complete their programs under justifiable circumstances.
Marcos emphasized that government support for education should extend beyond simply removing tuition fees.
“While we have opened the doors of our public colleges, universities, and technical-vocational institutions, the responsibility of government does not end there. We must help all our learners remain in schools or training until they complete their studies and acquire the skills they need to succeed,” he said.
RA 12325 builds on Republic Act No. 10931, the original Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act. The earlier law provides qualified students with free tuition and other school fees in SUCs, LUCs, and state-run TVIs, while institutionalizing the TES and student loan programs to help cover other education-related expenses.
The amended law also introduces a pilot initiative that will provide assistance to disadvantaged students enrolled in priority programs at private higher education institutions and TVIs. The provision recognizes the complementary roles of public and private institutions in expanding access to tertiary education.
To ensure that financial assistance remains responsive to changing economic conditions, the Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education (UnIFAST) Board is required to review TES amounts every two years and make adjustments based on inflation and changes in education costs.
The legislation further establishes a “single learner reference code” designed to improve the identification, targeting, and monitoring of beneficiaries as they transition from secondary to tertiary education.
RA 12325 also directs the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to create formal committees that will handle and resolve complaints from students.
In addition, government agencies must submit a comprehensive annual report to Congress detailing the program’s implementation and outcomes. The report will include employment tracer studies and information on budget utilization.
Marcos said continued investment in education and skills development remains crucial to strengthening productivity, expanding employment opportunities, and improving the country’s competitiveness.
The amendments are expected to reinforce the government’s existing free tertiary education framework while providing broader financial and institutional support to help more Filipino students enroll in, remain in, and successfully complete higher education or technical-vocational training.