Many Philippine students still struggle to get into college despite laws meant to level the playing field, a new survey shows.
The Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) found that affirmative action policies exist in most universities, but coverage and support are uneven and leave many marginalized students behind.
The nationwide study, done with Ateneo de Manila University, examined 529 higher education institutions—the first systematic mapping of such programs across the country.
State universities report the highest adoption, with 77% having at least one affirmative action measure, while less than half of private and local colleges follow suit.
Most programs focus on helping students from low-income families, while support for learners with disabilities, gender minorities, and those affected by disasters or conflict remains limited.
Tuition-free laws have helped poor households enroll in college, but structural barriers and entrance exams continue to block access for many disadvantaged students.
“As we improve participation and completion in higher education, it is imperative to ensure that no learner is left behind, especially students who have faced multiple hurdles to complete high school and now access higher education,” said EDCOM 2 Executive Director Dr. Karol Mark Yee.
Public universities often require entrance tests, prompting adjusted cut-off scores or reserved slots, but these same exams can create obstacles for those without test preparation resources.
Outreach efforts vary widely, with one-third of private colleges conducting none and student awareness of existing programs often below 50%.
“We strongly urge CHED (Commission on Higher Education)… to develop a comprehensive policy for affirmative action, to regularly collect data that focuses on transitions and available pathways for these learners, and to work with public and private colleges and universities, to ensure that programs are in place to ensure students with disabilities, those coming from ethnic minorities, and those affected by conflict and disasters, are not left out,” Yee appealed.
