AS a commitment of the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to put a high premium on the education of Filipino children, a total of P138.77 billion has been allocated for Higher Education programs and initiatives under the 2023 General Appropriations Act (GAA).
“This reflects the Administration’s commitment to empower our youth. President Bongbong Marcos himself said that education is the only legacy we can leave our children that will never go to waste. Indeed, education is our best investment for the nation,” Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman said.
“This is likewise in consonance with the promise of Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte to help the sector produce graduates that are employable,” Secretary Pangandaman added.
The P138.77 billion budget for Higher Education will go to State Universities and Colleges or SUCs (P107.04 billion) and the Commission on Higher Education or CHED (P31.73 billion).
Part of the budget will be used to fund the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Program (UAQTE) with P45.80 billion.
Other educational programs are likewise allotted with necessary funding for 2023. These include Student Financial Assistance Programs (P1.52 billion) which aim to provide scholarships and grant-in-aid programs to 21,053 student beneficiaries.
A total of P500 million was likewise allocated for Medical Scholarship and Return Service Program to assist deserving medical students to pursue education and training, in exchange for services rendered in public health offices or hospitals.
Meanwhile, the amount of P167 million will subsidize the tuition fees of medical students in SUCs.
