Subsidies for college students sought

THE GOVERNMENT should consider providing monthly stipends, transportation subsidies, and food allowances for college students to ease financial burdens and curb dropout rates, a congressman said on Wednesday.

Despite the implementation of the country’s free college education law, Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez said that gaps in access and support continue to undermine the measure’s intent.

“Free tuition was a landmark achievement, but the work is far from over,” he said in a statement. “Nearly four out of 10 students in state universities and colleges are still dropping out. In some regions, the situation is even more alarming.”

About 39% of college students nationwide dropped out during 2023-2024, according to data from the Second Congressional Commission on Education.

“These are not just statistics,” said Mr. Romualdez. “They are shattered dreams and interrupted futures, often because students cannot afford transportation, food, rent, books or internet.”

“We need to protect and build on the gains of the free higher education law by ensuring students have the means to actually finish school,” he added. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio