QUEZON CITY (PIA) -- The administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has allocated P138.77 billion for Higher Education programs and initiatives under the 2023 General Appropriations Act (GAA), demonstrating their commitment to the education of Filipino children.

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary, Amenah Pangandaman, stated that education is the best investment for the nation and that this funding reflects the administration's promise to empower Filipino youth.

The budget will be divided between State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), with P107.04 billion and P31.73 billion respectively. The Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Program (UAQTE) will receive P45.80 billion of the budget.

Other educational programs, such as Student Financial Assistance Programs and Medical Scholarship and Return Service Program, will receive P1.52 billion and P500 million respectively.

Moreover, P167 million has been allocated to subsidize the tuition fees of medical students in SUCs. (DBM / PIA-NCR)