PASAY CITY — Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano called for a more data-driven and accountable approach in higher education budgeting, saying the Commission on Higher Education’s (CHED) 2026 proposal should reflect long-term reforms that improve student access and institutional performance.
“The CHED should be guided by science and be data-driven. Let’s get the data and see what we can do together,” he said, urging the agency to use reliable data in crafting its programs that will translate into measurable outcomes for learners.
During the Senate budget hearing on October 17, 2025, lawmakers raised concerns over CHED’s P32.49-billion budget for next year, citing declining allocations for student financial assistance programs such as the Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) and Tulong Dunong Program (TDP).
The programs have seen repeated funding cuts despite growing demand and enrollment in both public and private higher education institutions.
CHED commissioner Shirley C. Agrupis said the agency’s 2026 plan focuses on state universities and colleges (SUCs), scholarships, and research support. However, she admitted challenges in sustaining the coverage of scholars under the Free Higher Education Law (RA 10931), especially those studying in private schools.
Senators also pointed to low fund utilization and delays in project implementation among SUCs, along with Commission on Audit (COA) findings on slow liquidation of scholarship funds and inconsistent monitoring of school performance.
Cayetano, who previously chaired the Senate Committee on Higher, Technical, and Vocational Education, said these issues highlight the need for performance-based budgeting and stronger accountability mechanisms in CHED and its attached institutions.
He earlier backed CHED’s “ACHIEVE” 7-point agenda, which promotes access, quality, and institutional resilience among higher education institutions.
Cayetano also renewed his call for the creation of the Third Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM III), which seeks to review and align the country’s education system from basic to higher and technical learning to ensure that policies and budgets promote employability, innovation, and inclusive growth.
“If we are to produce a globally competitive workforce and make education the true driver of national development, we need decisive, coordinated action,” he said.
“By laying the groundwork for a truly cohesive and responsive education system, we aim to transform the nation by building the right foundations,” he added. (Mabuhay News Online)
