SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian on Tuesday gave assurance that state universities and colleges (SUCs) will receive P8.6 billion for infrastructure upgrades that would enable them to admit more qualified students.
Gatchalian regretted that capacity limitations forced at least 168,493 qualified applicants to be denied admission to higher education during last the academic cycle.
“Our goal is to expand not only the buildings, but also (to grant) the dreams of every student who wishes to have a better future,” he said.
Data from 62 of the country’s 115 SUCs showed that 32, or 52 percent, were operating beyond their designed capacities.
Eleven of the surveyed SUCs, representing 18 percent, also reached full enrolment capacity.
“Under this fund, the construction of classrooms and other facilities will be accelerated so that more Filipino youth can be given the opportunity to enter college,” said Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance.
He urged SUCs to prioritize increasing academic capacity through strategic construction projects and resource investments.
Improved facilities would also support the hiring of additional faculty to meet rising enrolment needs, the senator noted.
This initiative follows the senator’s statement back in August emphasizing that expanding SUC capacity and investing in education facilities are key to realizing free higher education for all qualified students.
“We will ensure there is sufficient and continuous funding for free college education until every young Filipino who dreams of graduating is reached,” Gatchalian said.
