Suansing Pledges to Tackle Root Causes of Free Tuition Funding Gaps

Lawmaker says recurring shortfalls in the free higher education program demand structural solutions, not just annual budget patches

Mikaela Angela "Mika" Suansing has committed to working alongside education and budget officials to confront the underlying causes of chronic funding deficiencies plaguing the government's free higher education program, signaling a push for lasting reform rather than temporary fixes.

The commitment comes as budget deliberations reveal a striking gap: at least P5 billion is needed to fully cover free tuition costs in state universities and colleges (SUCs), according to the program's budget sponsor. The shortfall threatens the sustainability of a flagship reform that has expanded college access to millions of Filipino students since its enactment.

A Recurring Problem, Not a One-Time Shortfall

Suansing's pledge targets what she describes as the root causes of the funding woes — a notable shift in framing. Rather than treating each year's deficit as an isolated budgeting hiccup, the lawmaker appears to be acknowledging a structural mismatch between the program's mandated obligations and the resources allocated to meet them.

The numbers bear this out. The Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, signed in 2017, guaranteed free tuition in SUCs and local universities. But funding has repeatedly fallen short of actual enrollment-driven costs, forcing annual catch-up appropriations and leaving schools to absorb shortfalls in the interim.

Several factors compound the problem:

• Rising enrollment in SUCs as families seek relief from private school costs
• Inflation driving up operational expenses for universities
• Delayed reimbursements that strain institutional cash flows
• Unclear cost projections that make accurate budgeting difficult

Government Maintains Commitment

The push for reform comes amid reassurances from other quarters of government. Sandro Marcos has affirmed that the administration remains true to its word on free higher education, pointing to the settlement of validated funding shortfalls for SUCs.

The dual messaging — acknowledgment of a problem alongside assurances of commitment — reflects the political sensitivity surrounding the program. Free tuition is enormously popular with Filipino families, and any perceived retreat could carry significant electoral consequences.

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. himself acknowledged the broader "reality" of the country's education woes during his 2025 State of the Nation Address, vowing aggressive reforms to address a learning crisis that spans basic and higher education.

Analysis: Why Root Causes Matter

The distinction between plugging gaps and fixing systems is more than rhetorical. If the government only settles shortfalls after the fact, several risks persist:

1. Budget uncertainty forces SUCs to defer infrastructure, faculty hiring, and research investments.
2. Recurring deficits erode trust in the program's long-term viability.
3. Inequitable outcomes may emerge if some institutions manage cash flow better than others.

A root-cause approach would likely require revisiting the program's funding formula, improving enrollment forecasting, and possibly restructuring how reimbursements flow to universities. It may also mean examining governance issues — including reports that some SUCs are handling infrastructure projects worth over P5 million on their own, raising questions about procurement capacity and financial management.

The Road Ahead

Suansing's vow to collaborate with education and budget officials sets the stage for what could be a substantive policy discussion in the coming budget cycle. The key questions will be whether her efforts translate into:

• A revised, more accurate funding formula tied to real enrollment and cost data
• Timely disbursement mechanisms that spare SUCs from fronting costs
• Transparency measures to ensure funds reach classrooms, not just coffers

For Filipino students and their families, the stakes are simple: free higher education either remains a dependable promise or becomes a perennial budget casualty. The difference will depend less on annual appropriations than on whether lawmakers and agencies can finally address the structural flaws beneath the recurring shortfalls.

Suansing's commitment is a starting point. Whether it becomes a turning point — for SUCs, for students, and for the credibility of the program itself — remains to be seen.