Angara: 2.4 million students to benefit from subsidies

MANILA, Philippines — Some 2.4 million students will benefit from government subsidies under the expanded government assistance to students and teachers in private education, including the 1.47 million covered under the senior high school voucher program for school year 2026-2027.

“President Marcos’ priority is to ease the burden of Filipino families when it comes to tuition and other school fees,” Education Secretary Sonny Angara said.

He noted that 990,000 junior high school studaents would be covered by the educational service contracting program to allow families to enroll their children in private schools, easing financial pressure while helping to decongest public classrooms.“A child’s education should not stop just because of lack of money. Government assistance should reach the families who need it most. These subsidies are meant to keep children in school,” Angara said.

Meanwhile, the Department of Education and Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) allotted a green lane for senior high school graduates nationwide at the Labor Day job fairs to accelerate their entry into the workforce.

Angara said the green lane provides the graduates with immediate employment pathways to help more Filipino families rise out of poverty, in line with the mandate of President Marcos to uplift the lives of the underprivileged.

Labor Day job fairs were held simultaneously in every region to ensure localized access to over 230,000 employment opportunities.

“Through the green lane and the removal of the document fee, we are reducing the burden on parents and giving the graduates opportunity to immediately help in their respective homes,” Angara said.

Over 5,900 graduates received free pre-employment documents, such as National Bureau of Investigation and police clearances as well as birth certificates, to remove the financial burden for the requirements while applying for work.

Angara said the initiative builds upon Republic Act 11261 or the First Time Jobseekers Assistance Act, which institutionalizes government support for youth seeking to break the cycle of poverty.