Manila: Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano has called for the implementation of performance-based reforms in state universities and colleges (SUCs), emphasizing that government funding for higher education should lead to improved outcomes and transparent utilization of resources. Cayetano highlighted the importance of investing in tertiary education for both human and national development, urging schools to ensure that funds are maximized and used appropriately.
According to Philippines News Agency, Cayetano expressed concerns that the proposed budget cuts in the 2026 National Expenditure Program (NEP) could impede SUC operations and long-term projects. He questioned how SUCs could be expected to produce quality graduates with insufficient budgets. Cayetano urged collaboration with SUC bodies to work on long-term reforms, suggesting that many changes are still possible if the budget is increased.
The NEP outlines that six out of seven SUCs in the Cordillera region will face funding reductions in one or more classifications, with three among the 10 hardest hit nationwide in terms of percentage cuts. Benguet State University, for instance, is set to lose nearly PHP25 million in capital outlay for infrastructure, affecting its planned medical school facility.
The Department of Budget and Management has requested SUCs to submit new ‘wish lists’ following the exclusion of portions of their requested allocations from the 2026 NEP. Cayetano emphasized that strengthening SUCs should involve not just increased subsidies but also creating a system that incentivizes schools to enhance performance and manage resources wisely.
Cayetano pointed out the international admiration for Filipinos and stressed the role of education in providing a conducive environment for growth and prosperity.