Senator Alan Peter Cayetano has filed the “Makakapagtapos Ako Act of 2025,” a landmark bill aimed at removing all financial barriers to education from kindergarten to graduate school.
The bill seeks to go beyond existing free tuition laws by covering other essential education expenses such as school supplies, exam fees, and living allowances. It also includes support for students in technical-vocational programs and the Alternative Learning System (ALS).
“Our growth through education and lifelong learning is a fundamental right, not a mere privilege,” said Cayetano.
“Yet for many Filipinos, access to quality education remains elusive, often determined more by socio-economic status than by ability and determination,” he added.
Despite gains from free public tuition, Cayetano noted that dropout rates remain high. Data from EDCOM II, which he co-chairs, shows a 39% dropout rate in college and a significant drop in education subsidies for the poorest students.
Meanwhile, subsidies for the poorest students fell from 74.24 percent in 2018 to just 30.74 percent in 2022.
The bill ensures free uniforms, supplies, and learning materials for all students in public basic education. It also mandates each city and municipality to create a Local Government Educational Assistance Program to support college students, especially those from low-income or marginalized backgrounds, those enrolled in priority courses, and high-performing students.
Financial assistance will also be extended to students taking licensure exams, pursuing graduate degrees, or enrolled in tech-voc courses. Targeted support will be available for learners with disabilities, solo parents, indigenous peoples, and other disadvantaged sectors.IMT