The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) assured the public on Monday that the implementation of free higher education in the Philippines remains on track, following the approval of additional funding under the Unified Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education Act (UniFAST).
This development comes after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. gave the green light to the Department of Budget and Management’s (DBM) recommendation to augment CHED’s budget to support the continued rollout of the Free Higher Education program in local universities and colleges (LUCs).
“Consistent with this administration’s assurance to continue the Free Higher Education program, CHED, through the UniFAST, remains on track in delivering its commitment to accessible and equitable higher education for all Filipinos,” said CHED Chairperson J. Prospero de Vera III.
Over P577.12 million in additional funds were approved to cover the tuition and miscellaneous fees of tertiary students in LUCs. This is on top of the P5.2 billion already allocated under the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA) for the free higher education program.
De Vera expressed gratitude to President Marcos and the DBM for their continued support. “This is a testament that the national government considers higher education as a priority and is committed to ensuring the continuous delivery of free tertiary education,” he added.
Meanwhile, UniFAST Executive Director Ryan Estevez assured that reimbursements to CHED-accredited LUCs will begin shortly after the Holy Week break. “Matagal na naka-ready papers niyan (Necessary papers have already been prepared way earlier),” Estevez said in a message to the Philippine News Agency.
The funding boost is part of the government’s broader initiative under the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, which aims to provide inclusive access to quality higher education for all qualified Filipino students.
