Albay: Albay 3rd District Rep. Raymond Adrian Salceda expressed his gratitude to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for signing Republic Act No. 12325, which broadens the Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) to offer increased educational opportunities for financially disadvantaged Filipino students and their families.
According to Philippines News Agency, Salceda commended President Marcos for endorsing the measure, which was one of the administration's priority bills under the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC). Salceda emphasized the significance of the President's pro-poor, pro-student, and pro-education stance, highlighting that the additional assistance will instill hope and create opportunities for the Filipino youth, the primary beneficiaries of this new law.
Republic Act No. 12325 extends the TES coverage under Republic Act No. 10931, also known as the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act. It ensures the automatic inclusion of disadvantaged students, particularly those from Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) households, once they are admitted to higher education institutions recognized by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) or state-run technical-vocational institutions.
Salceda pointed out that the reform addresses a significant barrier faced by low-income students, who, despite their academic qualifications, often find the costs of pursuing higher education a substantial burden for their families. He stressed the importance of TES in preventing poverty from derailing a qualified student's pursuit of a college education due to financial constraints.
The enactment of this law reflects the shared commitment of the President and Congress to position education as a genuine pathway out of poverty. Salceda reiterated that President Marcos views education as an investment in the nation's people, a sentiment he passionately supports, emphasizing education's transformative power in breaking the poverty cycle for individuals and families alike.
Salceda urged that the next priority should be the efficient implementation of the expanded subsidy. This includes ensuring that qualified 4Ps beneficiaries are automatically identified and included without unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles. He underscored the responsibility to ensure that the intended assistance reaches the students it aims to support.
In his closing remarks, Salceda extended his appreciation to President Marcos and congressional colleagues for their cooperation in passing the legislation, and congratulated the students and families who stand to benefit, stating that the legislation is ultimately for them.
