Bagong Henerasyon Rep. Robert Nazal urged the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to exempt the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) from remitting its P11.7-billion Higher Education Development Fund (HEDF) to the National Treasury, saying the money should instead finance scholarships under the Tertiary Education Subsidy.
He revealed that CHED still owes P12.3 billion to state universities and colleges (SUCs) under the Free Tuition Law, including P1.1 billion to the Polytechnic University of the Philippines.
Nazal argued that the HEDF was created by law to be kept in government financial institutions, and its earnings—at least P550 million yearly—should go exclusively to students.
Meanwhile, DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman assured Congress that allocations for SUCs could still be adjusted, as enrollment is projected to rise to 2.27 million in 2026, creating a P3.29-billion funding gap.
Health workers, however, criticized the proposed P320.5-billion health budget, demanding at least P1.3 trillion and warning against corruption in unprogrammed funds and political insertions.
Source: PhilNews24 | September 30, 2025
