27 more LUCs eligible for free higher education

By Ma. Teresa Montemayor, Jul 25, 2019

MANILA – The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) on Thursday said it has approved the inclusion of 27 additional Local Universities and Colleges (LUCs) to implement the Free Higher Education (FHE) and Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) programs of Republic Act 10931 for academic year 2019-2020.

“The Commission is committed to fully implement RA 10931 to increase access to higher education so that more Filipino students, particularly those coming from the poor families, can go to college with government support,” CHED chairman J. Prospero E. De Vera III said in a statement.

These are Dr. Filemon C. Aguilar Memorial College of Las Piñas, Navotas Polytechnic College, City of Malabon University, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Pasig, Valenzuela City Polytechnic College, Pateros Technological College, Taguig City University, Gordon College, One Cainta College, Tiwi Community College, Bacolod City College, Mandaue City College, Cordova Public College, and Talisay City College.

Other LUCs include Madridejos Community College, Consolacion Community College, Lapu-Lapu City College, Talibon Polytechnic College, Burauen Community College, Abuyog Community College, Colegio De Las Navas, Community College of Gingoog City, El Salvador City College, Salay College of Arts and Sciences, Tubod College, Don Carlos Polytechnic College, and Sto. Tomas College of Agriculture Sciences and Technology.

De Vera reported there are currently a total of 76 LUCs eligible for FHE — 53 in Luzon, nine in Visayas, and 14 in Mindanao.

Under Section 3 of RA 10931, LUCs must be compliant with the policies, standards, and guidelines of the CHED in order to be included in the coverage of the law.

These LUCs were evaluated by the commission and have obtained institutional recognition or full program compliance of CHED policies and standards.

Through Commission en Banc (CEB) Resolution 247-2019, the CHED approved the list of institutions recommended by its Office of Institutional Quality Assurance and Governance subject to the existing laws, policies, guidelines and implementing rules and regulations governing the programs under RA 10931.

“The addition of 27 LUCs will increase the number of public Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) for incoming AY 2019-2021 to 111 that will implement FHE. The National Capital Region has the highest number of CHED-recognized LUCs with 7 additional public HEIs,” De Vera said.

“CHED will continue to monitor the compliance of these LUCs with respect to their operation as an HEI and the offering of programs, and assist them as needed to ensure that they will provide quality education,” he added. (PNA)