Sen. Bam Aquino on Monday reaffirmed his commitment to further strengthen the landmark free college law and ensure it receives adequate funding so that more Filipino students can obtain their college degrees.

Aquino made the assurance as Republic Act No. 10931, or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, marked its ninth anniversary. He was the principal sponsor of the law during the 17th Congress while serving as chairperson of the Senate Committee on Education.

As chairperson of the Senate Committee on Basic Education and vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, Aquino vowed to continue protecting and increasing funding for the free college law so that more Filipino students can benefit from free higher education.

“Ngayong 2026, ipinaglaban natin ang PHP67 bilyon para sa pagpapatuloy ng Libreng Kolehiyo bilang bahagi ng makasaysayang PHP1.34 trilyong budget para sa edukasyon—ang pinakamalaking pondong inilaan para sa edukasyon sa kasaysayan ng ating bansa (This year, we will push for PHP67 billion for the continuation of the Free College Law as part of the historic PHP1.34 trillion budget for education – the highest allocation for education in the history of our country),” Aquino said.

“Patuloy nating babantayan at ipaglalaban ang pondong ito upang matiyak na hindi ito mababawasan, kundi lalo pang madaragdagan para mas marami pang kabataang Pilipino ang makinabang sa Libreng Kolehiyo (we will continue to guard and fight for this fund to ensure that more Filipino youth will benefit from this law),” he added.

Aquino emphasized the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act was the product of a collective effort involving lawmakers, educators, student groups, civil society organizations and countless Filipinos who rallied behind the landmark law.

Meanwhile, in a bid to further strengthen the law, Aquino filed Senate Bill No. 130 to expand and improve the Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) program under the free college law, to ensure that education assistance reaches the students who need it most.

Under the measure, guaranteed TES grants will be given to all qualified beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) who complete Senior High School and are accepted into CHED-recognized higher education institutions or TESDA-recognized technical-vocational institutions.

The bill also guarantees continued TES support until beneficiaries complete their degree or technical-vocational program, provided they maintain satisfactory academic or training performance and comply with institutional policies.

It likewise expands TES coverage to include internship and Related Learning Experience (RLE) fees, as well as one-time expenses associated with obtaining professional licensure or certification. (PNA)