Bill expanding coverage of tertiary education subsidy OK'd on final reading

The House of Representatives on Monday approved on third and final reading the measure seeking to expand the coverage of the tertiary education subsidy.

House Bill 10560 obtained 200 affirmative votes during the plenary session.

The measure aims to allow more underprivileged and academically competent students to study in private higher educational institutions and to benefit from the coverage of the tertiary education subsidy through the voucher system.

The bill states that all vouchers provided under the bill shall be exclusively used to help poor and academically competent students.

Furthermore, all beneficiaries of the tertiary education subsidy should continue to receive the benefits until they have completed their post-secondary technical-vocational course or higher education degree program, provided that they have maintained their grades and residency requirements based on the regulations.

Meanwhile, House Bill 10555, or the Free College Entrance Examination Act, was also approved on final reading after obtaining 197 affirmative votes.

The Free College Entrance Examination bill mandates all private higher education institutions offering degree-granting programs at the undergraduate level to waive college entrance examination fees to underprivileged graduating high school students and high school graduates belonging to the Top 10% of the graduating class who are applying for college admission. — DVM, GMA News