SUCs seek restoration of P6.8B cut from draft budget
A group of school presidents and student regents from the country’s state universities and colleges (SUCs) has called on Congress to restore budget cuts amounting to P6.8 billion for 26 schools under the proposed 2026 national budget.
The group, led by the party-list group Kabataan, issued a “unity statement” on Friday which also noted that Congress had been remiss since the start of the Marcos administration in providing at least P12.3 billion for free higher education despite being required under Republic Act No. 10931, or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act.
In response, Nueva Ecija Rep. Mikaela Suansing, who heads the House committee on appropriations, said on Friday she would realign that amount in the 2026 budget.
‘Chronic underfunding’
The 26 schools who collectively aired their grievances on Friday make up a fourth of the 113 SUCs nationwide. They issued their call to Congress for continued deliberations on the proposed P6.8-trillion budget for 2026.
The budget cuts are symptomatic of the “chronic underfunding” of the Philippine education system which “directly denies the right to education of each Iskolar ng Bayan,” the group said.
“This shortfall,” it said, “has compelled our SUCs to rely on internally generated income from business ventures [and on] direct fee collection from students.”
SUCs are now even forced to restrict admissions, the group said, adding that this “undermines the very essence of free, quality, and accessible education supposedly provided by the State for the Filipino youth and people.”
Higher cut
A review of the 2025 General Appropriations Act and the 2026 National Expenditure Program actually shows a total of P6.88 billion in budget cuts, which would affect the following institutions:
- Cordillera Administrative Region: Abra State Institute of Sciences and Technology, Apayao State College, Kalinga State University and Mountain Province State University
- Cagayan Valley: Quirino State University
- Central Luzon: Aurora State College of Technology, Bulacan Agricultural State College, Central Luzon State University in Nueva Ecija and Philippine Merchant Marine Academy in Zambales
- Calabarzon: Cavite State University
- Bicol region: Camarines Norte State College and Central Bicol State University of Agriculture
- Eastern Visayas: Eastern Samar State University
- Negros Island Region: State University of Northern Negros
- Zamboanga region: Jose Rizal Memorial State University in Zamboanga del Norte and Western Mindanao State University
- Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao: Mindanao State University, Basilan State College and MSU-Tawi-Tawi College of Technology and Oceanography
- Davao region: Davao de Oro State College, Davao Oriental State University, University of Southeastern Philippines and Southern Philippines Agri-Business and Marine and Aquatic School of Technology
- Soccsksargen: South Cotabato State College
- Caraga: Agusan del Sur State College of Agriculture and Technology and Caraga State University.
Sourcing the cuts
In a separate statement, Kabataan Rep. Renee Louise Co said the cuts mean the country’s free college program is “not yet secure.”
“The national government must prioritize education over pork barrel projects and confidential funds. Instead of transferring to corruption-prone aid and flood control funds, why not fully fund free higher education?” she said.
The concerned SUCs also suggested the budget cuts be sourced from the P255 billion slashed from the Department of Public Works and Highways on Sept. 23, after Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon had cut all locally funded flood control programs, such as road reblocking, provision of reflectors and other projects vulnerable to corruption. (See related story)
