Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano on Monday urged the adoption of performance-based reforms in state universities and colleges (SUCs), stressing that government subsidies for higher education should lead to better outcomes and transparent use of resources.
“Whether in a human development or national development angle, the state will benefit if we invest more on tertiary education. But schools must also show that funds are maximized and used properly,” Cayetano said.
He cautioned that the proposed budget cuts under the 2026 National Expenditure Program (NEP) could hamper SUC operations and long-term projects. “How can an SUC expect to produce quality graduates when it has insufficient budget? Marami pa ang magagawa (ninyo) kung dadagdagan natin (ang budget)… Let’s work on some long-term reforms for all SUCs,” he added.
According to the NEP, six of seven SUCs in the Cordillera will face funding cuts, with three ranking among the hardest hit nationwide. Benguet State University alone lost nearly ₱25 million in capital outlay, affecting its planned medical school facility.
The Department of Budget and Management earlier directed SUCs to submit revised funding requests after several of their proposals were excluded from the 2026 budget.
Cayetano emphasized that reforms should not be limited to higher subsidies but must also create a system that incentivizes schools to improve performance and manage resources effectively.
“All around the world, tinitingala ang Pilipino. So ang trabaho ng education… is to provide the good soil or the environment so that the seed can prosper,” he said.
