‘An initial victory for youth today, future generations’

Lawmakers on Friday lauded President Duterte’s decision to sign a law granting tuition-free education in state universities and colleges despite opposition from his economic managers.

The bill would have lapsed into law on Saturday had Mr. Duterte not sign it on Thursday.

“The passage of the free tuition law is an initial victory not only for the youth today but also for future generations,” Kabataan Rep. Sarah Elago said.

“We have to [remain] vigilant, however, on possible limits that may be inserted in the new law’s [implementation rules],” she said.

ACT Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio said: “We hail the signing into law by President Duterte of the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act. This is a historic victory in our fight for the people’s right to education.”

Magdalo Rep. Gary Alejano, a critic of Mr. Duterte and one of the principal authors of the free tuition law, said: “These are the kinds of policies we need to focus on instead of unabated killings.”

Positive step

Social Welfare Secretary Judy Taguiwalo thanked Mr. Duterte for “heeding the appeals” of “thousands” of students and parents by signing the free tuition bill into law.

“This is a very positive step forward in our collective efforts as a people to democratize access to education and help ease the financial burdens of so many Filipinos who want to improve the quality of their lives and their chances at a better future by gaining college degrees,” Taguiwalo said in a statement.

“We deeply recognize the value of education and with the passage of this law, we hope more Filipinos will become empowered to build better futures for themselves, their families and this country,” she said.

Mark Vincent Lim, spokesperson for the National Union of Students of the Philippines, said that while his group welcomed the enactment of the measure, it remained opposed to some of its provisions, including the preferential guarantee for private universities and colleges.

“This is guaranteed profit to private universities as a way to appease private interests, a student loan program was included in the bill to somewhat cover for their losses brought about by decreased enrollment,” Lim said in a statement.

He warned that the economic managers may still be able to “reverse this victory by issuing flawed [implementation rules].”

To prevent that, he urged immediate implementation of the policy banning collection of tuition and other school fees.