04/08/2026
[PRESS RELEASE]
MALAYO NA, PERO MALAYO PA–IPATULOY ANG LABAN PARA SA TUNAY NA LIBRE, DEKALIDAD, AT ABOT-KAMAY NA EDUKASYON!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
03 AUGUST 2026
DAVAO CITY–Kabataan Partylist Southern Mindanao commemorates the 9th anniversary of the signing into law of the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act which was signed last August 3, 2017. This victory is a result from decades long struggle of the Filipino youth. While we celebrate this victory, the battle is not yet over. “Malayo na, pero malayo pa. Habang may mga estudyanteng hindi nakakapagtapos ng pag-aaral patuloy ang ating laban para sa tunay na libre, dekalidad, at aboy kamay na edukasyon" Kabataan Partylist Southern Mindanao Chairperson Cobbie Jan Canda stated.
The youth continue to face the economic crises brought about by corruption and injustice– only 1 in every 10 enrollees in the elementary level finish higher tertiary education. The education sector remains underfunded, while some universities even struggle from budget cuts. “Pinagkakandalakan ng Marcos Jr. Administration na pinataas niya ang pondo sa edukasyon, ngunit hindi pa rin ito ramdam ng mga estudyante sa laylayan, kulang pa rin sa silid-aralan, kulang sa serbisyong pangkalusugan at pangkaisipan. Marami paring mga paaralan ang walang angkop na psychometrician, guidance counselor, at psychologist. Hindi parin nababayaran ang 12 bilyong utang ng Commission on Higher Education.” Canda highlighted as the fight for higher budget in education persists.
The UAQTEA was initially filed by Kabataan Partylist through House Resolution No. 2135 in May of 2015. Albeit this victory, Kabataan Partylist highlights that this victory is not only the partylist's accomplishment but is mainly the accomplishment of the youth and student movement alongside the broader masses of our country. “Sa ating pagkomemora ng ika-9 na taon ng UAQTEA kailangan nating alalahanin ang mga dugo, pawis, at luhang inialay ng mga makabayan at militanteng kabataang isinulong ang karapatan sa libreng edukasyon. Nawa'y ipagpatuloy natin ang militansya at tanganan ang papel natin sa paghulma ng kinabukasang may tunay na libreng edukasyon.” Canda mentioned.
In the continuing fight for genuine free, quality, and accessible education, Kabataan Partylist filed house bill 212 also known as the Delivery of Adequate and Accessible Services in or the DASURV Bill. However, Canda highlighted that this fight needs the support and pressure from the youth and student movement. “Sa kasaysayan ng Pilipinas, walang progresibong mga batas ang naipapasa na walang suporta ng kilusang masa. Kailangan nating palawakin ang ating hanay, at ipagpatuloy ang pagpukaw ng mga kabataan upang palakasin ang panawagan sa pagpapalawak ng mga serbisyo sa mga estudyante.” Canda challenged the youth.
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Reference:
COBBIE JAN CANDA
Chairperson, Kabataan Partylist Southern Mindanao
09952237173
[email protected]
