MANILA, Philippines — Some senators hailed the announcement that President Rodrigo Duterte has signed the Universal Access to Quality Education Act into law.
Sen. JV Ejercito, one of the principal authors of the Free Higher Education for All Act in the Senate, said that he was happy for poor but deserving students who will benefit from the new law.
"The Free Tuition Act is an investment to further equip our most precious resource - the human resource," Ejercito said on Twitter.
Meanwhile, Sen. Francis Escudero expressed gratitude to the president for signing the proposed free tertiary education act into law.
"This will be one of the lasting legacies of his Presidency and Administration and will go a long way for the Filipino youth," Escudero said.
As one of the principal authors of the Free Tuition Act, I am very very happy for the poor but deserving students! #FreeTuitionNow
— JV Ejercito (@jvejercito) August 4, 2017
I thank PRRD for signing the Free Teriary Education Act! This will be one of the lasting legacies of his Presidency and Administraion...
— Chiz Escudero (@SayChiz) August 4, 2017
... and will go a long way for the Filipino youth!
— Chiz Escudero (@SayChiz) August 4, 2017
GOOD NEWS! Naisabatas na po ang Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act. Pls. retweet. Salamat! #LibrengEdukasyonNa [TeamBam] pic.twitter.com/nBI2MNIoxE
— Bam Aquino (@bamaquino) August 4, 2017
Last March 13, the Senate approved on third and final reading the bill providing tuition subsidies and financial assistance to students in state universities and colleges (SUCs) private higher learning and vocational institutions.
On May 30, the bicameral conference committee approved the bill granting free college education in state universities and colleges and local universities and colleges in the country, which was a reconciled version of Senate Bill 1304 and House Bill 5633 providing free tertiary education.
Deputy Executive Secretary Menardo Guevarra made the announcement during the Mindanao Hour media briefing at the Conrad Hotel in Pasay City.
Guevarra said that Duterte signed the law on Thursday evening, noting that free tertiary education in SUCs is part of the president's social development policy.
READ: Duterte signs bill granting free SUC tuition into law