CIBAC Party-List Representative Bro. Eddie Villanueva welcomed the signing of Republic Act No. 12325, which strengthens the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act and expands government assistance for students from poor and disadvantaged families.

Villanueva, a principal author of the law at the House of Representatives, underscored that the law goes beyond giving free tuition by providing concrete support for the expenses that often force students to discontinue their studies. These include subsidies for internships or Related Learning Experience, professional licensure expenses, allowances for students with disabilities, and adjustments in Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) grants every two years to keep pace with inflation and rising education costs.

“Free education must not only open the doors of our colleges and universities, we must also help our students remain in school until they finish and acquire the skills they need to succeed,” Rep. Villanueva said.

The CIBAC solon also stressed that law will cause government assistance to reach the students who need it most and will be disbursed efficiently, transparently, and without unnecessary barriers.

“Government assistance must reach the student and not get lost in bureaucracy. Every peso intended for education must translate into an opportunity for a Filipino to learn, graduate, and build a better life,” Rep. Villanueva said. ##