CHED receives P9.75B from DBM

CEBU, Philippines — The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has released P9.753 billion to the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to address funding deficiencies under the Free Higher Education (FHE) Program of 108 state universities and colleges (SUCs) nationwide.

The funding covers validated arrears incurred during academic years 2022–2023, 2023–2024, and 2024–2025. CHED, through the Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education (UniFAST), will facilitate the release of the funds to the concerned SUCs.

Acting DBM Secretary Kim Robert De Leon, in a statement, said the release reflects the Marcos administration’s continued prioritization of education while ensuring responsible management of limited government resources.

“Every peso in the national budget has competing demands. Our responsibility is to make sure that limited government resources are directed where they are most needed, without compromising other equally important programs and services,” De Leon said.

He said the nearly P10-billion release would help ease the financial pressure on SUCs, which had previously used their institutional resources to cover FHE-related costs.

The additional fiscal space may allow SUCs to strengthen academic and research programs, improve student services, upgrade laboratories and libraries, enhance information technology resources, and maintain or improve learning facilities.

“This is nearly P10 billion in additional fiscal support for 108 SUCs,” De Leon said, stressing that government support should be viewed beyond a single budget line.

The amount is chargeable against DBM’s built-in appropriations under the FY 2026 General Appropriations Act and the Special Account in the General Fund–Higher Education Development Fund.

The FHE Program was established under Republic Act No. 10931, or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, which provides free tuition and other school fees in SUCs and CHED-recognized local universities and colleges.

De Leon said the release also demonstrates the government’s effort to ensure that public funds are allocated based on available fiscal space, legal authority, readiness, and the urgency of competing national needs.

The DBM said the release forms part of the Marcos administration’s broader effort to maximize public resources and sustain investments in education and human capital development. — (FREEMAN)