More schools covered by free higher education law

Students in 27 local universities and colleges (LUCs) recently included by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) in the list of tertiary institutions covered by the free higher education policy, will enjoy free college education starting this school year.

This was announced by CHED Chairman J. Prospero de Vera III who said the commission en banc recently approved the list of additional LUCs, 11 of which are in Metro Manila, recommended by its Office of Institutional Quality Assurance and Governance.

“The Commission is committed to fully implement RA 10931 to increase access to higher education so that more Filipino students, particularly those coming from the poor families, can go to college with government support,” he said.

Unlike the 112 state universities and colleges (SUCs) that are automatically covered by the policy, LUCs – or those supported by local government units – must first pass an evaluation by the CHED before they can benefit from the free higher education law.

Only 76 LUCs were included in the pilot implementation of Republic Act 10931 or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act last year.

Among those newly recognized LUCs were the Dr. Filemon C. Aguilar Memorial College of Las Piñas, Navotas Polytechnic College, City of Malabon University, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Pasig, Valenzuela City Polytechnic College, Pateros Technological College and Taguig City University in Metro Manila; Gordon College in Region III; and One Cainta College in Region IV.

Also included were Tiwi Community College in Region V; Bacolod City College in Region VI; Mandaue City College, Cordova Public College, Talisay City College, Madridejos Community College, Consolacion Community College, Lapu-Lapu City College and Talibon Polytechnic College in Region VII.

Completing the list are Burauen Community College, Abuyog Community College, Colegio De Las Navas in Region VIII; Community College of Gingoog City, El Salvador City College, Salay College of Arts and Sciences, Tubod College and Don Carlos Polytechnic College in Region X; and Sto. Tomas College of Agriculture Sciences and Technology in Region XI.

“CHED will continue to monitor the compliance of these LUCs with respect to their operation as an HEI and the offering of programs, and assist them as needed to ensure that they will provide quality education,” he added.