36 SUCs ask government to restore P6 billion budget cut

MANILA, Philippines — Thirty-six state colleges and universities, whose funding was cut in the proposed national budget for 2024, are calling on lawmakers to restore the P6.1 billion that they removed, and instead increase SUC funding amid the higher education crisis that the government must address.

In a unity statement released over the weekend by Kabataan party-list, 36 presidents of SUCs nationwide called on Congress to restore the budget cuts and augment the funding for higher education “if our state universities and colleges are to be expected to do their duties.”

“Additional budget is needed for our learning institutions to regain their public character and provide ample support for student services and faculty development. If our state universities and colleges are to be expected to do their duties, they must be funded accordingly,” the statement read.

SUCs nationwide earlier sought P331.3 billion in funding for next year. However, the Department of Budget and Management allocated to them only P100.88 billion, which is also significantly lower than the P107.03 billion allocated in the General Appropriations Act.

With the budget cuts, as many as 30 have lost a significant amount of funding despite an increase in SUC enrollment rates this school year.

“In the 2024 NEP (National Expenditure Program), 30 State Universities and Colleges suffered budget cuts, all adding up to a P6,155,499,000 decrease in the total budget of SUCs. Majority of these cuts were focused on budgets for Capital Outlay, which includes facilities, equipment, and other investments that will serve these institutions for periods longer than the next fiscal year,” the SUC presidents said.

“This is despite the budget for the Free Higher Education