Manila: The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) clarified on Friday that the proposed budget for state universities and colleges (SUCs) under the 2027 National Expenditure Program (NEP) will increase compared to the current year when assessed on a 'NEP-to-NEP basis.' This statement comes in response to concerns that 49 out of 116 SUCs nationwide might experience direct budget cuts, while seven others could see nominal increases of less than 1 percent.
According to Philippines News Agency, the DBM revealed that the 2027 NEP allocates PHP141.090 billion for SUCs, which is a rise of PHP6.099 billion or 4.5 percent over the PHP134.991 billion budgeted under the 2026 NEP. The DBM asserted that the overall proposed budget for SUCs is higher on an NEP-to-NEP basis, countering claims of reduced government funding for these institutions.
The DBM highlighted that Personnel Services for SUCs will increase by PHP7.421 billion or 9.6 percent, growing from PHP76.959 billion in 2026 to PHP84.380 billion in the proposed 2027 budget. The proposed allocation for 2027 is PHP2.979 billion or 2.1 percent lower than the 2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA) due to 'non-recurring expenditures' such as research projects and Congress-initiated locally funded projects included in the current year's GAA.
DBM Acting Secretary Kim Robert de Leon emphasized that the Marcos administration is advocating for increased funding for the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education (UAQTE) Program under the 2027 NEP. This move aims to expand free tertiary education and subsidies, alongside technical-vocational training. The proposed increased allocations for the UAQTE Program are intended to support free higher education in SUCs and qualified Local Universities and Colleges, provide financial assistance through the Tertiary Education Subsidy, and offer free technical-vocational education and training.
During a budget briefing at the House of Representatives, De Leon stated that these investments are crucial for developing human capital, which will impact the country's competitiveness for years to come. The 2027 NEP proposes a PHP1.30 billion or 5.0 percent increase in the UAQTE allocation for SUCs, fueled by the rising number of enrollees from 2023 to 2025. The DBM added that this higher allocation would allow the government to accommodate more students pursuing their first undergraduate degree in SUCs, in line with the admission and retention policies of their respective institutions.
