By Paulo Loreto Lim

Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Commissioner Prospero de Vera III recently announced the P8.3 billion allocated to provide free tuition at public colleges and universities is currently being implemented.
He noted, rules and regulations for the said financial assistance was signed on April 20 and will impact students at 113 state colleges and universities across the country.
Earlier this year, Senator Paolo ‘Bam’ Aquino, a co-author of the law, indicated the policy would cost the government P16 billion annually, with a 10 percent increase every year.
Other proponents of Senate Bill No. 1304, or the Affordable Higher Education Act of 2017, include Senators Ralph Recto, Joel Villanueva, JV Ejercito, Sherwin Gatchalian, Francis Pangilinan, Juan Edgardo ‘Sonny’ Angara, and Loren Legarda.
In addition to the funding towards undergraduate education, De Vera also pointed out an additional P317 million will be provided as tuition assistance for students studying at state college and university medical schools, including West Visayas State University in Iloilo.
“The P317 million tuition assistance for medical students is unique because it provides for a return service agreement,” he explained. “Students who apply will have to give back to the country as public service.”
“For every year they enjoy tuition assistance, they have to stay in the country for one year,” the CHED commission added.
Public service includes residency in government tertiary hospitals or working at provincial and district hospitals./WDJ