NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Third Regular Session
)
24 Dl-X 17 P5 -25
SENATE
S. No. 2905
111 f
Introduced by Senator Loren B. Legarda
AN ACT
AMENDING SECTION 7 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10931, OTHERWISE KNOWN 
AS THE ''UNIVERSAL ACCESS TO QUALITY TERTIARY EDUCATION ACT", TO 
ENHANCE THE EFFICIENCY, EQUITY, AND ACCOUNTABILITY OF THE 
TERTIARY EDUCATION SUBSIDY PROGRAM
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Quality education is an inalienable right of ali Filipinos—this is the deciaration 
of Republic Act No. 10931 or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act 
(UAQTEA). This landmark law was enacted to ensure that higher education is 
accessibie to all. It aims, among others, to provide adequate funding and mechanisms 
to increase access to tertiary education, prioritizing academicaliy capable students 
from economically disadvantaged famiiies.
One of the pillars of this act is the Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES), a subsidy 
to support the cost of tertiary education or any part or portion thereof, established for 
ali Filipino students who shall enroll in undergraduate post-secondary programs of 
state universities and coileges (SUCs), locai universities and coileges (LUCs), private 
higher education institutions (HEIs) and ali technical vocational institutions (TVIs). The 
TES follows a prioritization system, prioritizing students from households listed in the 
Listahanan 2.0, ranked by per capita income, foilowed by those students outside 
Listahanan 2.0 based on validated income documentation. However, due to budgetary 
limitations, the second criterion is rarely accommodated. Notably, in private 
institutions under cities or municipalities without state or local universities and colleges


(PNSLs), the prioritization criteria are not applied, and students are deemed qualified 
regardless of financial capacity.
Over the years, concerning trends have been observed. Findings by the Second 
Congressional Commission on Education reveal that the share of TES grantees from 
the poorest households (Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or 4Ps and Listahanan) 
has dramatically decreased—from 74.24% in Academic Year (A.Y.) 2018-2019 to only 
30.74% in A.Y. 2022-2023. Conversely, students from PNSLs have received the 
majority of subsidies, increasing their share from 25.76% to 69.26% during the same 
period. This shift warranted careful reassessment, as it challenges the intent of R.A. 
No. 10931, which was crafted to ensure that the most vulnerable members of our 
society are given priority and support.
This proposed measure seeks to reinforce the principles of equity and inclusivity 
in the allocation of TES. It guarantees automatic eligibility for TES to students from 
4Ps households, subject only to their successful completion of senior high school and 
admission to a CHED-recognized higher education institution. The remaining TES slots 
will then be allocated based on a ranking system of applicants' per capita household 
income, ensuring equitable distribution of resources. Moreover, this measure 
strengthens TES's implementation, monitoring, and quality assurance to uphold its 
integrity and ensure it effectively bridges the gap between poverty and opportunity.
Education remains the most effective tool in breaking the cycle of poverty. By 
ensuring targeted assistance and enhancing student financing schemes, we place 
those most in need at the forefront of our relentless pursuit of universal and equitable 
access to education. In doing so, we not only empower individuals to realize their full 
potential but also drive forward the social and economic development of our nation.
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
LOREN LEGARDA


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Third Regular Session
24 Dl-C 17 P5 :25
S. No.
SENATE
2905
luc.;
Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda
AN ACT
AMENDING SECTION 7 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10931, OTHERWISE KNOWN 
AS THE "UNIVERSAL ACCESS TO QUALITY TERTIARY EDUCATION ACT", TO 
ENHANCE THE EFFICIENCY, EQUITY, AND ACCOUNTABILITY OF THE 
TERTIARY EDUCATION SUBSIDY PROGRAM
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembied:
1 
Section 1. Section 7 of Republic Act No. 10931 or the "Universal Access to
2 
Quality Tertiary Education Act" is hereby amended to read as foiiows:
3 
"SECTION 7. TES for Filipino Students. - To support the cost of tertiary
4 
education or any part or portion thereof, a TES is hereby established for ali
5 
Filipino students who shall enroll in undergraduate post-secondary programs
6 
of SUCs, LUCs, private HEIs and ali TVIs. The TES shaii be administered by the
7 
UniFAST Board and the amount necessary to fund the TES shall be included in
8 
the budgets of the CHED and the TESDA: Provided, That [prioritization shaii
9 
bo given to students in the following order: (a) students who arc part of
10 
households inciudcd in the Listahanon 2.0, ranked according to the estimated
11 
per capita household income, and (b) students not part of the Listahanan 2.0,
12 
ranked according to estimated per capita household income based on
13 
submitted documentation of proof of income to bo determined by the UniFAST
14 
Beard] SECONDARY EDUCATION STUDENTS FROM HOUSEHOLDS


1 
UNDER THE PANTAWID PAMILYANG PILIPINO PROGRAM (4PS)
2 
SHALL BE GUARANTEED TES, CONDITIONAL ON SUCCESSFUL
3 
COMPLETION OF SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL AND ACCEPTANCE IN A
4 
CHED-RECOGNIZED HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTION: Provided,
5 
further, That [sueh] SUBJECT TO AVAILABLE FUNDS, THE REMAINING
6 
TES SLOTS SHALL BE AWARDED BASED ON [prioritization shall not apply
7 
to Filipino studonts in cities and municipalitlGG with no existing SUC op Ld€
8 
campus] THE RANKING OF APPLICANTS BASED ON THEIR PER CAPITA
9 
INCOME HOUSEHOLD USING THE MOST UPDATED LISTAHANAN
10 
AND/OR SUBMITTED DOCUMENTS AS PROOF OF INCOME.
11 
The TES may, among others, and to support the cost of tertiary
12 
education or any part or portion thereof, cover the following:
13 
(a) FULL [T]tuition and other school fees (TOSF) in private HEIs, and
14 
private or LGU-operated TVIs, which shall be equivalent to the
15 
tuition and other school fees of the nearest SUC or state-run TVI
16 
in their respective areas: PROVIDED, THAT SUCH TOSF SHALL
17 
NOT EXCEED THE AVERAGE AMOUNT SPENT BY
18 
GOVERNMENT PER STUDENT UNDER THE FREE HIGHER
19 
EDUCATION PROGRAMS IN SUCS AND LUCS; PROVIDED,
20 
FURTHER, THAT IN CASES WHERE THE TOSF EXCEED THIS
21 
AVERAGE AMOUNT, THE UNIFAST BOARD SHALL
22 
ADMINISTER GUIDELINES IN SETTING THE AMOUNT OF
23 
THE TES;
24 
(b) An allowance for books, supplies, transportation, and
25 
miscellaneous personal expenses, including a reasonable allowance
26 
for the documented rental or purchase of a personal computer or
27 
laptop, and other education-related expenses;
28 
(c) An allowance for room and board cost incurred by the student;
29 
(d) For a student with a disability, an allowance for expenses related
30 
to the student's disability, including special services, personal
31 
assistance, transportation, equipment, and supplies that are


1 
reasonably incurred; and
2 
(e) For a student in a program requiring professional license or
3 
certification, the one (l)-time cost of obtaining the first
4 
professional credentials or qualifications, which may include the
5 
following: application fees, notarial fees, review classes fees,
6 
insurance premium fees and documentation fees: Provided, That
7 
the amount of subsidy shall be based on the guidelines set forth
8 
by the UniFAST Board and on the annual budgetary appropriation
9 
for this purpose."
10 
Sec. 2. A new Section 7-A is hereby inserted to read as follows:
11 
"SECTION 7-A. FIXING AMOUNTS UNDER THE TES. - IN
12 
DETERMINING THE APPROPRIATE AMOUNTS OF ALLOWANCES AND
13 
SUBSIDIES UNDER TES AS PROVIDED IN SECTION 7-A HEREOF FOR
14 
PUBLIC STATE UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES, AND PRIVATE HIGHER
15 
EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS, RESPECTIVELY, THE UNIFAST SHALL BE
16 
GUIDED BY THE FOLLOWING:
17 
(1) TES IN PUBLIC HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS IS
18 
FOR ALLOWANCES OF STUDENTS, AND DOES NOT COVER
19 
TUITION AND MISCELLANEOUS FEES AS THESE ARE
20 
ALREADY COVERED BY THE FREE HIGHER EDUCATION
21 
PROGRAM; AND
22 
(2) TES IN PRIVATE HIGHER EDUCATION IS FOR FULL
23 
TUITION SUBSIDY AND ALLOWANCES OF QUALIFIED
24 
POOR BUT DESERVING STUDENTS. PROVIDED, THAT A
25 
HIGHER UPPER LIMIT OF THE TES AMOUNT SHALL BE
26 
APPLIED FOR STUDENTS THAT WILL ENROLL IN PRIORITY
27 
COURSES JOINTLY IDENTIFIED BY CHED AND NATIONAL
28 
ECONOMIC AND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (NEDA).
29 
PROVIDED, FURTHER, THAT THE AMOUNTS HEREIN SHALL BE
30 
REVIEWED AND ADJUSTED EVERY TWO (2) YEARS TO TAKE INTO
31 
ACCOUNT THE CHANGES IN THE COST OF TERTIARY EDUCATION AND


1 
INFLATION."
2 
Sec. 3. A new Section 7-B is hereby inserted to read as follows:
3 
SECTION 7-B. IMPLEMENTATION, MONITORING, 
AND
4 
QUALITY ASSURANCE OF THE TES. - THE UNIFAST SHALL:
5 
(1) IMPLEMENT A SYSTEM FOR MONITORING 
AND
6 
VALIDATION TO ENSURE THAT TES ALLOWANCES ARE
7 
UTILIZED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PURPOSES
8 
PROVIDED UNDER SECTION 7, AND IMPOSE SANCTIONS,
9 
INCLUDING DISQUALIFICATION NON-COMPLIANCE;
10 
(2) IN CONSULTATION WITH THE DBM AND COMMISSION ON
11 
AUDIT (COA), DEVELOP AN EFFICIENT DISBURSEMENT
12 
SYSTEM, INCLUDING THE DISBURSEMENT OF
13 
ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT COST, TO ENSURE TES
14 
GRANTEES RECEIVE THEIR SUBSIDIES DURING THE
15 
SEMESTER FOR WHICH THEY ARE APPLYING THE TES AS
16 
WELL AS TO FUND THE PROVISION OF LEARNER SUPPORT
17 
SERVICES, AND MAY UTILIZE THE PHILIPPINE
18 
IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM (PHILSYS) TO FACILITATE THE
19 
VALIDATION OF ELIGIBLE BENEFICIARIES;
20 
(3) COORDINATE WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION,
21 
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT,
22 
AND OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, TO ESTABLISH A
23 
SYSTEM THAT INFORMS SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
24 
UNDER THE 4PS OF THEIR AUTOMATIC ELIGIBILITY TO
25 
RECEIVE TES; AND,
26 
(4) MONITOR AND EVALUATE THE TES PROGRAM EVERY FIVE
27 
(5) YEARS, INCLUDING THE UTILIZATION OF AN ONLINE
28 
INFORMATION SYSTEM TO MONITOR THE PROGRESS OF
29 
TES GRANTEES WHILE THEY ARE IN THE HEI, AND TRACER
30 
SURVEYS CONDUCTED BY PUBLIC AND PRIVATE HEIS TO
31 
ASSESS AND ENHANCE THE PROGRAM DESIGN AND


1 
IMPLEMENTATION, AND UTILIZE THE PHILSYS NUMBERS
2 
OF TES GRANTEES FOR MONITORING AND EVALUATION
3 
PURPOSES.
4 
FURTHER, PUBLIC AND PRIVATE HEIS SHALL UTILIZE THE
5 
PHILSYS NUMBERS OF TES GRANTEES FOR MONITORING AND
6 
EVALUATION PURPOSES AND LIKEWISE PROVIDE LEARNER
7 
SUPPORT SERVICES TO TES BENEFICIARIES, INCLUDING BUT NOT
8 
LIMITED TO CAREER COUNSELING, BRIDGING PROGRAMS, AND
9 
TUTORIALS.
10 
THE CHED, IN COORDINATION WITH UNIFAST, SHALL
11 
ESTABLISH A REGULAR QUALITY ASSURANCE PROCESS FOR HEIs
12 
ENROLLING TES GRANTEES. THIS SHALL INCLUDE PERIODIC
13 
ASSESSMENTS OF BOTH INSTITUTIONAL PERFORMANCE AND
14 
PROGRAM QUALITY, WITH A FOCUS ON ACADEMIC STANDARDS,
15 
GRADUATE OUTCOMES, AND COMPLIANCE WITH CHED POLICIES.
16 
HEIS FAILING TO MEET THE MINIMUM QUALITY STANDARDS SHALL
17 
BE REEVALUATED AND MAY BE DISQUALIFIED FROM ENROLLING
18 
NEW TES GRANTEES UNTIL COMPLIANCE IS ACHIEVED.
19 
Sec. 4. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within sixty (60) days from the
20 
effectivity of this Act, the UniFAST Board, in consuitation with the CHED, DepEd,
21 
DSWD, TESDA, and other stakeholders in higher and technical education, shall
22 
promulgate the revised implementing rules and regulations of R.A. 10931 necessary
23 
to ensure the efficient and effective implementation of this Act: Provided, That the
24 
failure of the Board to promulgate the said rules and regulations shall not prevent or
25 
delay the effectivity and implementation of this Act.
26 
Sec. 5. Separability Clause. — If any portion or provision of this Act is declared
27 
unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provision not affected thereby shall
28 
remain in force and effect.
29 
Sec. 6. Repealing Clause. — Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive
30 
order, letter of instruction, rule or regulation inconsistent with the provisions of this
31 
Act is hereby repealed or modified accordingly.


1 
Sec. 7. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following
2 
its complete publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,