Supplementary budget may fund free tuition, DBM says
By Melissa Luz T. Lopez,
Senior Reporter
THE GOVERNMENT will need P51 billion to implement the first phase of the free tuition law among state-run universities and colleges (SUCs) next year, with the Budget department saying that funding will likely be realigned from other agencies to meet the additional costs.
Budget Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno said the government needs P51 billion for school year 2018-2019 to support free tuition, miscellaneous expenses, and other school fees for 112 SUCs nationwide.
He is referring to Republic Act 10931 or the Quality Tertiary Education Act signed by President Rodrigo R. Duterte last month, despite opposition from his economic managers about the funding burdens that come with the measure.
The law covers SUCs, universities and colleges accredited by the Commission on Higher Education, as well as technical vocational institutions of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.
Mr. Diokno said that the DBM will look for funds by realigning money appropriated under the P3.767-trillion spending plan for 2018, which is currently undergoing plenary deliberations at the House of Representatives.
“There is a need to really look for money. Worse comes to worst, we will have to submit a supplemental budget,” Mr. Diokno said during a roundtable discussion at the Oakwood Premier Joy-Nostalg Center Manila.
The funding requirements are expected to rise every year, as more students enter the collegiate level. Offhand, Mr. Diokno said the government would have to stop the creation of new state-run colleges, and eventually try to “rationalize” the number of SUCs.
“We will not create any new university. There are just too many. [This bill wants] quality free education — you can’t create quality with too many SUCs,” the Cabinet official added.
Mr. Diokno added that the government is looking to restore a national entrance exam which could serve as a guide for SUCs to screen students based on merit, to ensure that those who can avail of the tuition perks are qualified.
Student groups have been calling for full state subsidy for education, calling it a right rather than a privilege.
On the other hand, Mr. Diokno said the economic managers are yet to determine the amount needed to rehabilitate Marawi City, as it would depend on the plan that will be drafted by the Department of National Defense and the Department of Public Works and Highways.
So far, some P5 billion can be covered by the current year’s budget, while some P10 billion will be allocated in 2018. If these funds are not enough, Mr. Diokno said a supplemental budget is an option, as is the P30 billion to be raised from the tax settlement of cigarette firm Mighty Corp.