Free tuition red tape review sought

A SENATORIAL candidate on Sunday said he would seek a review of Republic Act No. 10931 or The Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act to streamline rebates under the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

In a statement, former Senator Panfilo M. Lacson said parents still have to pay tuition even if their children are eligible for free college tuition.

“We saw problems in the implementation of the law,” he said. “One is the requirement for some parents to give advance payments and wait for the rebate.”

He added that some CHED rebate payments had been delayed and in some cases were never given back to the parents.

“The scholarship should be available, and the parents should not be made to give advance payments. We should revisit this law in the Senate in the exercise of oversight,” Mr. Lacson said.

Under the law, eligible students enrolled in a bachelor’s or certificate degree, or any comparable undergraduate degree are exempted from tuition and other school fees. — Adrian H. Halili