SEN. Christopher "Bong" Go welcomed the approval on third reading of Senate Bill (SB) 1981, or the proposed Basic Education Voucher Program Act, a measure aimed at institutionalizing a private basic education voucher system for learners from kindergarten to Grade 12.
SB 1981 was approved on Monday as lawmakers also advanced another education-related proposal backed by Go — Senate Bill 1894, or the proposed Enhancing Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act — which passed on second reading the same day.
Go said the measures seek to provide continuous educational support for students from basic education to college and technical-vocational training.
“For me, our support for education should be continuous. Many Filipino families struggle to pay for their children's education, so if there is a way to help them, we should do it,” Go said.
The proposed Basic Education Voucher Program Act will allow students from geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs), Indigenous peoples communities, beneficiaries of the government’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or 4Ps, and learners facing barriers to enroll in accredited private institutions using government-funded vouchers.
Alternative Learning System (ALS) completers and disadvantaged learners in areas without accessible public schools also qualify as automatic voucher recipients.
To improve transparency and accessibility, the bill mandates the creation of a publicly accessible online platform where beneficiaries can view accredited private schools, including details on tuition fees, school capacity, and academic performance.
It likewise includes establishing a nationwide school congestion-mapping system to identify areas where voucher assistance is most needed due to overcrowding in public schools.
Go emphasized the importance of ensuring accountability and proper targeting in implementing education assistance programs.
SB 1894 seeks to strengthen Republic Act 10931 by expanding support mechanisms for disadvantaged college and technical-vocational students.
