More local colleges to offer free tertiary education
Starting next school year, an additional 27 local universities and colleges (LUCs) will join 76 others in offering free tertiary education under the 2017 free tuition law, the Commission on Education (CHEd) said on Sunday.
This came as the CHEd and Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education signed an agreement with the 27 newly CHEd-recognized LUCs to strengthen implementation of Republic Act No. 10931, or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act.
The agreement authorizes the 27 LUCs to start offering free tuition and provide tertiary education subsidies to students beginning next school year.
LUCs must first be compliant with the policies, standards and guidelines of the CHEd under Section 3 of RA 10931 in order to be included in the coverage of the law.
“These LUCs were evaluated by the commission and have obtained institutional recognition or full program compliance of CHEd policies and standards,” the CHEd said in a statement. “These 27 LUCs will now add to the 76 existing LUCs providing access to free and quality higher education so that more deserving Filipino students can benefit from them.”
In Metro Manila, the newly recognized LUCs included the following: Dr. Filemon C. Aguilar Memorial College of Las Piñas, Navotas Polytechnic College, City of Malabon University, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Pasig, Valenzuela City Polytechnic College, Pateros Technological College and Taguig City University.Outside Manila, the new LUCs covered by the free tuition law in Luzon were Gordon College in Region 3, One Cainta College in Region 4 and Tiwi Community College in Region 5.
Article continues after this advertisementIn the Visayas, there’s Bacolod City College in Region 6; Mandaue City College, Cordova Public College, Talisay City College, Madridejos Community College, Consolacion Community College, Lapu-Lapu City College and Talibon Polytechnic College in Region 7; and Burauen Community College, Abuyog Community College, Colegio de Las Navas and Community College of Gingoog City in Region 8.
In Mindanao, the new LUCs providing free education are City College of El Salvador, Salay Community College, Tubod College and Don Carlos Polytechnic College in Region 10; and Sto. Tomas College of Agriculture Sciences and Technology in Region 11. —Matthew Reysio-Cruz
