THE National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC), a policy-making body who facilitates the government agency's poverty reduction program, lauded the President's signing of the bill that provides free tuition in all state colleges and universities (SUCs) in the country.
NAPC consultant Luz Ilagan said on Monday that the passage of the Republic Act 10931 into a law or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act is a great help in giving underprivileged students access to quality education despite their socioeconomic status.
"Yes, it's going to help a lot because we know education is the great equalizer. Education is needed to give the youth the opportunity to find better jobs someday," Ilagan said.
"Kung mahatagan nato sila ug scholarship, maka-eskwela sila, [If the students will be given the scholarships, they can now study] then all the opportunities will be opened to them. So we are very happy for the first time, our aspiration na education should be free not only in the elementary level but up to college was implemented," she said.
She cited that in the previous administration, the bill was not given due priority despite the clamor of the public for it to be passed to address poverty among Filipinos.
With this, at least each family will have a graduate who would have a vast opportunity in the workforce to alleviate their family's status in line with the government's thrust to improve the Filipinos' lives and reduce poverty incidence.
Iligan also chided the wealthy personalities who were able to enroll in the SUCs while those poor yet underprivileged students could no longer enter because of the limited slots.
Meanwhile, she hopes that Commission on Higher Education (Ched) will begin crafting the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) that will be holistic, inclusive and indigent-centered policy.
"I hope that the implementing rules and regulations that will be crafted by congress will see to it that those poor but deserving students will really enjoy the free tuition and not the rich ones who were able to enter the universities," she said.