Legarda affirms substance over titles, demands real funding for education laws at CHED’s 32nd anniversary

Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda affirmed that advocacy, policies, and the work of public service go beyond titles or positions, stressing the need to resolve political differences and keep students at the heart of reforms.

She also made clear that education laws must be properly funded to avoid giving false hope, as she delivered her message of support during the Commission on Higher Education’s (CHED) 32nd Anniversary celebration on June 10, 2026 at the PICC Complex in Pasay City.

“Advocacy, policies, and the work we do go beyond titles, go beyond designations and chairmanships, because there’s so much work to do that we have to remain united in our vision and our mission to get it done,” Legarda said. “I join our chair and all of you, the commissioners, and all of those present here today and online, in resolving political differences and shutting out all political noise and working for the betterment of our young learners and the Filipino people.”

Legarda warned against raising false expectations through announcements and publicity that are not backed by actual funding. She stressed that laws are meant to provide solutions, not empty promises, and that it is unacceptable for programs to be debated, printed, and promoted only for students and institutions to later discover that resources were never released.

“Ginagawa ang batas para magbigay ng kalutasan sa ating mga problema, hindi lamang sa edukasyon, sa lahat ng sektor,” she emphasized.

As then Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, Legarda recalled how she supported the realignment of ₱8 billion to CHED under the 2017 General Appropriations Act, proving that free college education was possible even before the passage of the law. This allocation enabled around 800,000 students in 112 state universities and colleges, at that time, to pursue their degrees without paying tuition and miscellaneous fees.

She recounted that during a consultative meeting with State Universities and Colleges last year, it was revealed that funding for the Free College Education Act had consistently fallen short. Allocations were based on outdated enrollment figures rather than projected student numbers, leading to persistent deficits. To bridge this gap, Congress allocated a total of ₱11.8 billion—₱7.8 billion through CHED’s Higher Education Development Fund and ₱4 billion under the 2026 GAA.

Legarda also stressed that the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) must use accurate projected student data in preparing the National Expenditure Program (NEP) and ensure that funds for the Free College Education Law are fully released. She emphasized that the law should never be held back by incomplete or withheld allocations, as this undermines the promise made to Filipino learners.

With these funding challenges addressed, Legarda then pointed to CHED’s ongoing reforms as proof of a learner centered direction. She cited the Higher Education ACHIEVE Strategic Plan, the Revised CHED Merit Scholarship Program, and Project PAG IBIG as initiatives that expand opportunities for Filipino students.

“This celebration recognizes the work of our educators, of our researchers, of administrators, and students whose efforts continue to shape our country’s future,” she noted.

As former Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Higher, Technical, and Vocational Education, Legarda recalled landmark measures she championed, including 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.

“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 our Filipino learners,” Legarda recounted.

Legarda underscored her role as Co Chairperson of the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II), saying she remains committed to evidence based reforms. She authored the law extending its mandate to ensure continued studies and policy recommendations that guide education reforms.

“As your steadfast partner in the Senate, I reaffirm my support for policies and investments that empower our learners, that strengthen institutions and advance national development,” she concluded. (30)

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Legarda nanindigan na higit ang gawa kaysa sa titulo, nanawagan ng sapat na pondo para sa edukasyon sa ika‑32 anibersaryo ng CHED

Pinagtibay ni Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda na ang adbokasiya, mga polisiya, at gawain ng paglilingkod-bayan ay higit pa sa mga titulo o posisyon. Ipinunto niya ang pangangailangang maresolba ang mga pagkakaibang pampulitika at manatiling nakasentro sa mga estudyante ang mga reporma.

Ipinahayag din niya na ang mga batas sa edukasyon ay dapat may sapat na pondo upang maiwasan ang pagbibigay ng maling pag‑asa, sa kanyang mensahe ng suporta sa pagdiriwang ng Ika‑32 Anibersaryo ng Commission on Higher Education (CHED) noong Hunyo 10, 2026 sa PICC Complex, Pasay City.

“Advocacy, policies, and the work we do go beyond titles, go beyond designations and chairmanships, because there’s so much work to do that we have to remain united in our vision and our mission to get it done,” sabi ni Legarda. “I join our chair and all of you, the commissioners, and all of those present here today and online, in resolving political differences and shutting out all political noise and working for the betterment of our young learners and the Filipino people.”

Nagbabala si Legarda laban sa pagbibigay ng maling pag‑asa sa pamamagitan ng mga anunsyo at publisidad na hindi sinusuportahan ng aktuwal na pondo. Iginiit niya na ang mga batas ay dapat maghatid ng solusyon, hindi hungkag na pangako, at hindi katanggap‑tanggap na ang mga programa ay ipapahayag ngunit sa huli ay matutuklasan ng mga estudyante at institusyon na hindi naman nailabas ang kinakailangang pondo.

“Ginagawa ang batas para magbigay ng kalutasan sa ating mga problema, hindi lamang sa edukasyon, sa lahat ng sektor,” iginiit ni Legarda.

Bilang dating Chairperson ng Senate Committee on Finance, inalala ni Legarda kung paano niya sinuportahan ang realignment ng ₱8 bilyon para sa CHED sa ilalim ng 2017 General Appropriations Act, na nagpapatunay na posible ang libreng kolehiyo kahit bago pa maipasa ang batas. Ang pondong ito ay nagbigay‑daan sa humigit‑kumulang 800,000 estudyante mula sa 112 state universities and colleges na makapagpatuloy ng kanilang pag‑aaral nang walang binabayarang tuition at miscellaneous fees.

Ikinuwento rin niya na sa isang konsultatibong pagpupulong kasama ang mga State Universities and Colleges noong nakaraang taon, lumabas na palaging kulang ang pondo para sa Free College Education Act. Ang mga alokasyon ay nakabatay sa luma at hindi na akmang datos ng enrollment sa halip na sa inaasahang bilang ng mga estudyante, na nagdulot ng patuloy na kakulangan. Upang punan ang agwat na ito, naglaan ang Kongreso ng kabuuang ₱11.8 bilyon—₱7.8 bilyon sa pamamagitan ng Higher Education Development Fund ng CHED at ₱4 bilyon sa ilalim ng 2026 GAA.

Ipinunto rin ni Legarda na dapat gumamit ang Department of Budget and Management (DBM) ng tama at makabagong datos ng inaasahang bilang ng mga estudyante sa paghahanda ng National Expenditure Program (NEP) at tiyakin na ganap na nailalabas ang pondo para sa Free College Education Law. Aniya, hindi dapat maantala ang pagpapatupad ng batas dahil sa kulang o hindi inilalabas na alokasyon, sapagkat sinisira nito ang pangakong ibinigay sa mga kabataang Pilipino.

Matapos tugunan ang mga hamon sa pondo, itinuro ni Legarda ang mga kasalukuyang reporma ng CHED bilang patunay ng direksyong nakasentro sa mga mag‑aaral. Binanggit niya ang Higher Education ACHIEVE Strategic Plan, ang Revised CHED Merit Scholarship Program, at Project PAG‑IBIG bilang mga inisyatibang nagpapalawak ng oportunidad para sa mga estudyanteng Pilipino.

“This celebration recognizes the work of our educators, of our researchers, of administrators, and students whose efforts continue to shape our country’s future,” dagdag ni Legarda.

Bilang dating Chairperson ng Senate Committee on Higher, Technical, and Vocational Education, inalala ni Legarda ang mga mahahalagang batas na kanyang itinaguyod, kabilang ang Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education Act, ang No Permit, No Exam Prohibition Act, at ang Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act.

“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 our Filipino learners,” pagbabalik‑tanaw ni Legarda.

Ipinahayag din ni Legarda ang kanyang papel bilang Co‑Chairperson ng Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II), at sinabing nananatili siyang nakatuon sa mga repormang nakabatay sa ebidensya. Siya ang may akda ng batas na nagpalawig sa mandato nito upang matiyak ang patuloy na pag‑aaral at rekomendasyong pampatakaran na gumagabay sa mga reporma sa edukasyon.

“As your steadfast partner in the Senate, I reaffirm my support for policies and investments that empower our learners, that strengthen institutions and advance national development,” pagtatapos ni Legarda. (30)