Rizal Hall, Malacañang
June 13, 2018

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte witnessed the ceremonial signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and state and local universities and colleges at the Rizal Hall of Malacañan Palace.

A total of 112 state universities and colleges (SUCs) and 78 local universities and colleges (LUCs) inked the agreement to launch the implementation of Republic Act No. 10931 or the ‘Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act.’

“Education is the single most important legacy that we can bestow on our youth. It opens doors for countless opportunities that will lead to [their] further empowerment, greater success, and the realization of their individual aspirations,” President Duterte said.

According to the President, millions of Filipino youth are still having a hard time finishing their studies due to poverty as they struggle to go to school because they have no money for allowance, transportation, books, projects, and other miscellaneous expenses.

“This is why we have made it a priority to make quality education affordable and accessible to all. The signing of the Memorandum of Agreement between the Commission on Higher Education and almost 200 tertiary academic institutions is a crucial step in helping young Filipinos fulfill their dreams of becoming productive members of our country’s workforce through academic degrees and technical or vocational training,” he said.

The Chief Executive also commended the efforts of the Congress, CHED, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), SUCs, LUCs, Technical Vocational Institutions, and other partners in the education sector for making the “elusive dream” of free quality tertiary education for all a reality.

Presidential Spokesperson Atty. Harry Roque, Senator Sherwin ‘Win’ Gatchalian, CHED Officer-in-Charge Dr. Prospero ‘Popoy’ De Vera III, Representatives Ann Hofer and Jose Maria Clemente Salceda, and other Cabinet members joined the President in the MOA signing.

Also present in the event were the CHED Commissioners; governing board and members, secretariat, and regional coordinators of the Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education (UniFAST); representatives from Technical Vocational Institutions, SUCs, LUCs, local government units (LGUs), and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs); and the CHED Central and Regional Office Directors.

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