More college students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds are poised to receive crucial financial support this year following a substantial budget expansion for the Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES). Senator Sherwin Gatchalian announced on Monday that the 2026 national budget has earmarked PHP30.8 billion for TES, marking a significant increase from the PHP21.7 billion allocated in 2025.
Targeted Support for Underprivileged Students
The enhanced funding is designed to assist underprivileged but academically qualified students, including those residing in areas without access to state or local universities and colleges. Gatchalian emphasized that this financial boost is expected to benefit approximately 1.3 million students nationwide.
Priority for 4Ps Beneficiaries and Listahanan 3.0
Among the beneficiaries, 200,000 slots have been specifically reserved for incoming college students whose families are enrolled in the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps). A special provision in the 2026 budget mandates that the Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education (UNIFAST) prioritize students listed under "Listahanan 3.0" and other low-income households not included in this database.
Listahanan 3.0, also known as the third National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR), serves as the updated registry of poor households maintained by the Department of Social Welfare and Development. This targeted approach ensures that financial assistance reaches those most in need.
Ensuring Educational Continuity
"We ensured that the financial assistance for college will go to students most in need. Through this, more beneficiaries will continue their studies and graduate," Gatchalian stated. The expanded TES budget aims to reduce financial barriers, enabling more students to pursue and complete their tertiary education.
This initiative underscores the government's commitment to enhancing educational accessibility and supporting the academic aspirations of underprivileged youth across the Philippines.
