TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
25 JUL -2 P4 56
SENATE
s. No. 26
Introduced by Senator PIA S. CAYETANO
AN ACT
STRENGTHENING THE TERTIARY EDUCATION SUBSIDY, AMENDING FOR 
THE PURPOSE SECTION 7 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10931, OTHERWISE 
KNOWN AS THE "UNIVERSAL ACCESS TO QUALITY TERTIARY EDUCATION 
ACT"
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Republic Act No. 10931, or the "Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education 
Act," (UAQTEA) was enacted to guarantee that all Filipinos, particularly those from 
poor and marginalized sectors, are given fair and equitable access to quality tertiary 
education. A key feature of this landmark legislation is the Tertiary Education Subsidy 
(TES) program, which provides financial support to qualified students to cover 
education-related expenses beyond tuition and other school fees.
Since its implementation, however, concerns have emerged from both 
beneficiaries and academic institutions regarding the inconsistency and 
unpredictability of TES allocations. In several instances, the amount of subsidy granted 
to students in previous academic years was arbitrarily reduced in succeeding years 
without clear explanation. This has caused financial distress and undue anxiety among 
students and their families who heavily rely on TES to support their education, 
transportation, living expenses, and other academic expenses.
To address these issues, this proposed measure seeks to amend Section 7 of 
the UAQTEA by including a provision that guarantees the continuity and non-reduction 
of the TES amount once granted, for the entire duration of a student's undergraduate


or technical-vocational program, provided that the student remains compliant with the 
eligibility requirements set by law. This proposed safeguard upholds the principles of 
fairness and predictability in government support for higher education.
Moreover, recognizing the evolving economic landscape and rising cost of 
tertiary education, the bill mandates that the Commission on Higher Education , in 
coordination with the Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary 
Education Board and the Department of Budget and Management, conduct a review 
of TES rates every three (3) years. This will ensure that the subsidy remains sufficient, 
responsive to inflation, and aligned with the actual cost of tertiary education.
By institutionalizing these measures, the proposed amendment reinforces the 
State's commitment to inclusive and sustainable access to tertiary education, 
particularly for the most vulnerable sectors.
In view of the foregoing, the immediate approval of the bill is earnestly sought.
PIA S. CAYOTANO


TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
25 JUL-2 P4 56
SENATE 
S. No. 26
Introduced by Senator PIA S. CAYETANO
AN ACT
STRENGTHENING THE TERTIARY EDUCATION SUBSIDY, AMENDING FOR 
THE PURPOSE SECTION 7 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10931, OTHERWISE 
KNOWN AS THE "UNIVERSAL ACCESS TO QUALITY TERTIARY EDUCATION 
ACT"
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. Section 7 of RA 10931 is hereby amended to read as follows:
2 
Section 7. TES for Filipino Students. - To support the cost
3 
of tertiary education or any part or portion thereof, a TES is hereby
4 
established for all Filipino students who shall enroll in undergraduate-
5 
post-secondary programs of SUCs, LUCs, private HEIs and all TVIs.
6 
The TES shall be administered by the UniFAST Board and the amount
7 
necessary to fund the TES shall be included in the budgets of the
8 
CHED and the TESDA: Provided, That prioritization shall be given to
9 
students in the following order: (a) students who are part of
10 
households included in the Listahanan 2.0, ranked according to the
11 
estimated per capita household income; and (b) students not part of
12 
the Listahanan 2.0, ranked according to estimated per capita
13 
household income based on submitted documentation of proof of
14 
income to be determined by the UniFAST Board: Provided, further,
15 
That such prioritization shall not apply to Filipino students in cities
16 
and municipalities with no existing SUC or LUC campus.


1 
The TES may, among others, and to support the cost of tertiary
2 
education or any part or portion thereof, cover the following:
3 
a) xxx;
4 
b) xxx;
5 
c) xxx;
6 
d) xxx; and
7 
e) xxx;
8 
THE AMOUNT OF THE TES ONCE GRANTED TO
9 
QUALIFIED BENEFICIARIES SHALL NOT BE REDUCED AND
10 
SHALL BE CONTINUOUSLY GIVEN FOR THE DURATION OF
11 
THEIR UNDERGRADUATE OR TECHNICAL-VOCATIONAL
12 
PROGRAMS: PROVIDED, THAT THE BENEFICIARIES REMAIN
13 
COMPLIANT WITH THE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS SET
14 
FORTH IN THIS ACT: PROVIDED, FURTHER, THAT EVERY
15 
THREE YEARS, THE UNIFAST BOARD, IN CONSULTATION
16 
WITH THE DBM SHALL CONDUCT A REVIEW OF THE TES
17 
RATES TO ACCOUNT FOR INFLATION AND THE CHANGES IN
18 
THE COST OF TERTIARY EDUCATION.
19 
Sec. 2. Separability Clause. -If any portion or provision of this Act is declared
20 
unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provisions not affected thereby shall
21 
remain in force and effect.
22 
Sec. 3. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive
23 
order, letter of instruction, rule or regulation inconsistent with the provisions of this
24 
Act is hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
25 
Sec 4. Effectivity Clause. -This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days
26 
following its complete publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general
27 
circulation.
Approved,