The Philippine Department of Budget and Management released approximately ₱9.75 billion to the Commission on Higher Education for state universities and colleges [1].
This disbursement addresses critical funding deficiencies in the Free Higher Education program. By settling these gaps, the government aims to relieve the financial burden on institutions that previously absorbed these costs to maintain operations.
The funds were released on Monday, Aug. 17, to support 108 state universities and colleges nationwide [2]. While reporting on the exact amount varies slightly across government and news sources, the total ranges from ₱9.75 billion [1] to ₱9.753 billion [3].
The allocation is intended to resolve outstanding funding gaps that occurred during the implementation of the Free Higher Education initiative. These institutions had been absorbing the costs to ensure that students continued to receive tuition-free services despite the lack of immediate government reimbursement.
By transferring the funds to the Commission on Higher Education, the government ensures that the 108 affected institutions can stabilize their budgets. This move allows these schools to recover expenses already spent on student tuition, and other mandated fees—a necessary step for the long-term sustainability of public higher education in the Philippines.
Officials said the release of funds is part of the ongoing effort to support the accessibility of tertiary education. The government continues to manage the balance between providing free tuition and ensuring that state-run colleges have the necessary liquidity to function effectively.
“The Department of Budget and Management released approximately ₱9.75 billion to the Commission on Higher Education.”
The release of these funds indicates a retroactive correction of budget shortfalls in the Philippines' public education system. By reimbursing institutions that absorbed the costs of the Free Higher Education program, the government is preventing a potential liquidity crisis among state universities, though the existence of such gaps suggests a disconnect between the program's enrollment growth and its initial budget allocations.
