P-Noy signs law on financial aid to poor students

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino has signed into law the Congress-approved bill harmonizing government financial assistance to poor but deserving college students.

The bill, “Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education Act (UNIFAST),” is now Republic Act 10687, Pasig City Rep. Roman Romulo, principal author of the measure said Tuesday.

“The UNIFAST law empowers all Filipino youth who dream of a good education by giving them access to the financial means of achieving that dream,” he said. “Now, even without the patronage of politicians, the youth can get scholarships, financial assistance or grants to achieve a good education.”

The UNIFAST law is an indispensable supplement to the Iskolar ng Bayan Act, which aims to acknowledge and reward the excellent performance of the top 10 graduates of the 8,000 public high schools nationwide through free tuition and miscellaneous fees upon enrolment in any of the 113 state universities and colleges in the country.

Under the Iskolar ng Bayan Act, which Romulo also authored, the top 10 high school graduates will enjoy free tuition and miscellaneous fees only for their first year in college.

These scholars will now be able to avail themselves of financial aid, loans or grants in their succeeding college years through the UNIFAST law.

The law creates a UNIFAST board that will supervise the implementation of financial assistance programs to students.

The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) chairman heads the board, with the secretaries of the Department of Science and Technology, Department of Education, head of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, and a representative each from the Department of Labor and Employment, National Economic and Development Authority and National Youth Commission as members.

Not covered by the board are financial aid schemes with specific targeted beneficiaries like those taking up vocational, technical, and science and technology courses.

“Through the UNIFAST law, students who want to study will have access to financial assistance for them to pursue tertiary education in public or private higher education institutions,” Romulo said. “It gives all Filipinos of school age from all walks of life expanded education opportunities that will lift them from poverty.”

CHED lauds UNIFAST

CHED Chairman Patricia Licuanan lauded the passage of the law.

Licuanan said UNIFAST will rationalize the allocation, utilization and client-targeting of government resources, and improves access to quality higher and technical education.

“It shall also serve as the ultimate national human resource development mechanism and strategy that will direct beneficiaries to priority courses needed for economic growth and development,” she said. “Further, it insulates any student financial assistance programs from political labeling or partisan affiliation.”