Pinoy Workers party-list Rep. Karl Legazpi sponsored the proposed ₱141.09-billion 2027 budget of state universities and colleges (SUCs), saying funding must keep pace with growing access to public higher education.
The proposed allocation is ₱6.09 billion, or about 4.5%, higher than the ₱134.99-billion SUC budget under the 2026 National Expenditure Program, according to budget figures cited by the House and the Department of Budget and Management.
Legazpi presented the proposed SUC budget during House plenary deliberations, including funding for the University of the Philippines System.
He said public universities serve students who depend on affordable higher education as a way to improve their prospects and those of their families.
“Para sa maraming pamilyang Pilipino, ang makapasok sa isang pampublikong unibersidad ay higit pa sa pagtanggap ng isang acceptance letter. Ito ang pagkakataong makapag-aral at makapagtapos para sa kanilang kinabukasan at sa kinabukasan ng kanilang mga pamilya,” Legazpi said.
But Legazpi said expanding access to public higher education also requires universities to have enough resources to accommodate students.
“As enrollment grows, our SUCs must have enough teachers, classrooms, laboratories, equipment, and learning resources,” he said in his sponsorship speech.
He also pointed to the role of SUCs beyond classroom instruction, saying they conduct research for agriculture, industry, health and technology, train professionals and provide services to communities.
“The public funds entrusted to our universities must translate into real and measurable benefits for our students and our communities,” Legazpi said.
The proposed 2027 budget also includes increased funding for the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education program, which supports free higher education in public institutions.
Legazpi said maintaining the quality of education should accompany the growing number of students entering SUCs.
“Our responsibility does not end with opening the doors of our universities. Access must come with quality,” he said.
The House concluded deliberations on the proposed budgets of SUCs and the University of the Philippines System on September 23, with the ₱141.09-billion SUC allocation moving forward in the budget process.
