Commission on Higher Education (CHED) officer-in-charge Prospero De Vera said that the free tuition law that now being enjoyed by the students of State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) must be credited to President Rodrigo Duterte.
De Vera said this during his interview with Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson.
He explained that only President Rodrigo Duterte implemented the free tuition law.
“Kaya ang credit dito ay talagang mapunta sa presidente dahil siya ang nangahas na subukan yung hindi sinubukan ng maraming nakaraang pangulo sa Pilipinas,” De Vera said.
“Itong RA 10931 ang pinakamahalagang social justice legislation sa ating higher education. Kasi hindi na bagong ideya ito. Matagal ng hinihiling ng mga estudyante, ng mga pamilya na ilibre ang mga estudyante sa tuition at miscellaneous fees. Ang kinaiba lang noong nakaraang panahon, laging sinasabi, ‘hindi pwede, hindi kaya’. Ang pinagkaiba, nagkaroon ng Presidente Rodrigo Roa Duterte na sinabi niya, ‘gawin natin’, kaya nangyari sa administrasyong ito,” he added.
The Republic Act No. 10931 or Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, according to De Vera was already pushed before, but it was ignored by the past administrations.
“Lahat naman ng dating pangulo binigyan ng pagkakataon na gumawa ng batas na ganyan. Ang kinaiba, ginawa sa administrasyong ito.”
Even during the Aquino administration, the free tuition law was failed to implement because of lack of support.
He also said that former senator Bongbong Marcos, senators Ralph Recto, Chiz Escudero and Win Gatchalian always asked him about the expenses on the free education because they’re the one who really pushed it.
You can watch the interview below:
Meanwhile, several netizens slammed some politicians who wanted to be credited in the free tuition law.
In 2017, President Rodrigo Duterte signed the free tuition law for 112 State Universities and Colleges.
“Free tertiary education in SUCs is a very strong pillar or cornerstone of the President’s social development policy,” Deputy Executive Secretary Menardo Guevarra said.
