President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. announced significant investments in free public college education and technical-vocational (TVET) training programs, reinforcing his administration’s commitment to making higher education accessible to all Filipinos. The announcement was made during his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) at the Batasang Pambansa.
The President revealed that nearly PHP60 billion will be allocated in the upcoming year to fund free tuition for millions of students enrolled in public colleges and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TechVoc) programs. This substantial funding aims to alleviate financial burdens and open doors for more Filipino youth to pursue their academic and career aspirations.
“Kung tutungtong naman sa kolehiyo, nakahanda ang malaking pondo para sa pagtutustos sa libreng pampublikong edukasyon sa kolehiyo. Pati na rin ang mga subsidy at financial assistance para sa mas higit pang nangangailangang estudyante,” President Marcos stated. He reiterated, “Sa susunod na taon, maglalaan pa rin tayo ng halos 60 bilyong piso para sa libreng edukasyon sa pampublikong kolehiyo at sa TechVoc.”
Currently, over two million students benefit annually from the government’s free higher education program. Under President Marcos’ administration, an additional 260,000 young Filipinos have gained access to this vital program, helping them achieve their dreams of a college education.
A key priority for the government is to ensure that the children of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) members receive preferential access to these free college and TechVoc programs, further promoting inclusivity and social mobility.
The President also highlighted the remarkable growth in scholarships awarded by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). In 2024 alone, TESDA granted more than 200,000 additional scholarships, empowering more Filipinos with job-ready skills and training essential for the workforce.
“Kitang-kita natin ang bunga ng mga programang ito. Napakataas ngayon ng bilang ng kabataan nating pumasok sa kolehiyo o sa TESDA,” President Marcos remarked, underscoring the positive impact of these initiatives. He proudly noted that the Philippines now ranks second in the Southeast Asian region for youth enrollment in college and TechVoc programs.
President Marcos urged parents to fully embrace these educational opportunities, emphasizing the government’s overarching goal: for every Filipino family to have at least one member who has graduated from college or successfully completed a TESDA program, thereby securing a brighter future for their households and the nation.
