Message of Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda Commission on Higher Education’s 32nd Anniversary Celebration | June 10, 2026 | PICC, Pasay City

Warmest greetings to Chairperson Shirley C. Agrupis, the Commissioners, Directors, heads of offices, partners, stakeholders, and the dedicated men and women of the Commission on Higher Education as you celebrate your 32nd Anniversary.

For thirty-two years, CHED has shown that the advancement of higher education comes from sustained cooperation across sectors. Government, academia, industry, communities, and development partners all play a role in building a system that responds to national needs. The theme of this year’s celebration, “Strategic Partnership Convergence,” reflects how coordinated efforts can translate plans into outcomes that matter for Filipino learners.

CHED has played a vital role in expanding access to quality education, strengthening academic excellence, advancing research and innovation, and preparing our institutions for the demands of a rapidly changing world. Under the leadership of Chairperson Shirley Agrupis, CHED continues to champion reforms that make Philippine higher education more responsive, inclusive, and globally competitive.

This celebration recognizes the work of educators, researchers, administrators, and students whose efforts continue to shape the country’s future. The launch of the Higher Education ACHIEVE Strategic Plan, the Revised CHED Merit Scholarship Program, and Project PAG-IBIG point to a clear direction that places learners at the center of development and expands opportunities for Filipinos.

Partnerships across government agencies, higher education institutions, and development partners continue to open pathways for innovation and mobility. These efforts help connect education with employment, research with industry, and policy with measurable outcomes.

As former Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Higher, Technical, and Vocational Education, I have consistently championed reforms that place learners at the center of our higher education agenda. We advanced landmark measures such as the Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education Act, the No Permit, No Exam Prohibition Act, and the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act.

As then Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, I worked to make higher education more accessible to Filipino students. Even before the passage of the Free College Education Law, I supported the realignment of ₱8 billion to CHED under the 2017 General Appropriations Act, proving that free college education is possible if we choose to prioritize it. This allocation enabled around 800,000 students in 112 state universities and colleges to pursue their degrees without paying tuition and miscellaneous fees.

However, the real challenge lies not in proving it can be done, but in ensuring it is appropriately funded and sustained. Last year, I convened a consultative meeting with our State Universities and Colleges, where it was revealed that funding for the Free College Education Act has consistently fallen short. Allocations have been based on outdated enrollment figures rather than projected student numbers, leading to persistent deficits. While SUCs submit updated enrollment data, computations have often relied on historical figures—sometimes two to three years old—leaving actual needs unmet. To bridge this gap, we allocated a total of ₱11.8 billion—₱7.8 billion through CHED’s Higher Education Development Fund (HEDF) and ₱4 billion under the 2026 GAA.

Most recently, as Chairperson of the Bicameral Conference Committee, I led the Senate contingent in reconciling and advancing the measure that further strengthens and expands the implementation of the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, reaffirming our commitment to making quality tertiary education more accessible and responsive to the needs of Filipino learners. We also pursued key structural reforms through proposed measures in the current Congress, including the Higher Education Development and Innovation Act, the State Universities and Colleges Governance Act, the Local Universities and Colleges Governance Act, and the Presidential Merit Scholarship Program Act. These measures aim to expand access, improve accountability, and support a higher education system that delivers results.

As Co-Chairperson of the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II), I remain committed to pursuing evidence-based reforms that will help address long-standing challenges and ensure a stronger future for Philippine education. I likewise authored the law extending the life of EDCOM II to sustain its important work.

As your steadfast partner in Congress, I reaffirm my support for policies and investments that empower learners, strengthen institutions, and advance national development.

Congratulations to CHED on its 32nd Anniversary. Mabuhay ang Commission on Higher Education, ang kabataang Pilipino, at isang luntiang Pilipinas sa ating lahat!