English: The National Expenditure Program (NEP) proposes a budget of P23.38 billion for free higher education. The Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges, however, estimates that P27.078 billion is needed to implement free higher education for School Year (SY) 2025-2026, leaving a deficit of P3.697 billion to fully fund the program. When inflation is considered, Gatchalian's office estimates that P27.3 billion is needed to implement free higher education and the looming deficit would reach as much as P3.9 billion.
Filipino: Nagmumungkahi ang National Expenditure Program (NEP) ng P23.38 bilyong pondo para sa libreng kolehiyo. Gayunpaman, tinatayang P27.078 bilyon ang kailangan ng Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges upang maipatupad ang libreng kolehiyo para sa School Year (SY) 2025-2026, na nag-iiwan ng kakulangang P3.697 bilyon upang ganap na mapondohan ang programa. Kapag isinasaalang-alang ang inflation, tinataya ng opisina ni Gatchalian na aabot sa P27.3 bilyon ang kakailanganin upang ipatupad ang libreng kolehiyo, at maaaring umabot sa P3.9 bilyon ang budget deficit.