TINGOG Partylist Rep. Jude Acidre has called for the immediate release of remaining government subsidies and voucher program assistance due to private schools for the school year 2025–2026.
Acidre said the delays are placing additional strain on financially vulnerable educational institutions already grappling with rising operational costs.
In a statement on Friday, Acidre, who heads the House Committee on Higher and Technical Education, expressed his support for the appeal made by the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines and the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines Episcopal Commission on Catholic Education for the expedited release of pending government assistance intended for private schools.
”This is an education emergency for many private schools, especially small, mission-driven and financially vulnerable institutions serving low-income families and underserved communities,” Acidre said.
Government subsidies and voucher assistance remain critical to the continued operation of many private educational institutions, especially those heavily dependent on state support to sustain personnel salaries, classroom operations and preparations for the upcoming academic year.
”For these schools, subsidy support is not supplemental. It helps keep classrooms open, supports teachers and nonteaching personnel, and allows schools to continue delivering education despite mounting financial pressures,” Acidre said.
He added that the situation has become “more urgent” amid increasing operational expenses driven by higher fuel and energy costs, which have affected transportation, utilities, maintenance, school supplies and other day-to-day expenditures.
”Many private schools are doing everything they can to keep education accessible and affordable, especially for families who rely on government assistance so their children can remain in school,” Acidre said.
