Jonathan Frederic De Santos

Students at the University of the Philippines (UP) in Quezon City, April 13, 2018. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

Allison Co

ABS-CBN News

MANILA (UPDATED) — The Commission on Higher Education has P2 billion in unused assistance funds under the Tulong Dunong Program, even as students are allegedly being rejected from scholarship programs, Bagong Henerasyon Party-list Rep. Roberto Nazal Jr. said during the agency’s 2027 budget hearing at the House of Representatives on Thursday, August 27.TDP is a subsidy program for indigent students that provides P7,500 per semester to help pay for education costs. Beneficiaries must not be be in other government scholarship or financial assistance programs.“Ang sakin po, bakit po nakaka-reject tayo ng mga studyante na humihingi ng benefit (How can we reject students asking for this benefit ) while billions for educational assistance remain unused and are allowed to lapse?”Nazal said his office submitted a list of 400 students to CHED last February who had been rejected from the program but received no feedback from the agency.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/5/29/ched-bam-aquino-launch-p25-000-ahead-grant-for-nursing-allied-health-students-2247">CHED, Bam Aquino launch P25,000 AHEAD grant for nursing, allied health students </a></div>He asked whether the lack of response was because he is in the House minority, implying also that the students he referred were given lower priority.CHED Chairperson Shirley Agrupis, however, clarified that each scholarship program is governed &quot;strictly governed by guidelines and is strictly defined in the provision of the [General Appropriations Act]&quot;She said one reason for students not getting TDP “is that the list is coming to our benefactors.&quot;In a separate manifestation, ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio said failure to include someone in the list for student aid is not a valid excuse.“Anong basis? May criteria yan, hindi pwedeng ang basis ay dahil may listahan ang congressman,&quot; he said.(What would be the basis? The program has criteria. We cannot say that the basis is that a congressman has a list.)<div> </div><div>&#x27;CLEAN DATA&#x27;</div>Agrupis admitted that the current system still has gaps and said CHED is coordinating closely with the legislators and the Department of Social Welfare and Development to help validate qualified beneficiaries.“Kaya po, nag-sign kami ng DSWD na sabi ko (That is why we signed an agreement with DSWD): &#x27;It is not the job of CHED to validate on the ground. You submit to us the clean data of DSWD&#x27;.&quot;CHED said it has since caught up with the list of student beneficiaries from 2025 as it continues its efforts to provide assistance to qualified beneficiaries in 2026.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/1/5/coa-flags-ched-s-free-higher-education-program-for-overpayment-to-local-colleges-1721">COA flags CHED’s Free Higher Education program for P295-M overpayment to local colleges </a></div>“Kaya maraming masaya ngayon na bata, kasi nahabol po namin at binigyan (Many students are happy because of that, because we were able to update the list and give assistance).&quot;Nazal ended his manifestation by reiterating his call for the government to help CHED fully maximize its available funds, particularly the Higher Education Development Fund, a trust fund created by law to expand access to college education but is managed by the National Treasury.“If the law needs to be changed, then amend it…[if] CHED itself becomes the reason some students cannot go to college. CHED needs to shape up pero dapat po tulungan din po sila ng national government (but the national government should also help).”

The Commission on Higher Education has P2 billion in unused assistance funds under the Tulong Dunong Program, even as students are allegedly being rejected from scholarship programs, Bagong Henerasyon Party-list Rep. Roberto Nazal Jr. said.

The Commission on Higher Education has P2 billion in unused assistance funds under the Tulong Dunong Program, even as students are allegedly being rejected from scholarship programs, Bagong Henerasyon Party-list Rep. Roberto Nazal Jr. said.

Lawmaker calls out CHED over unused funds as students reportedly denied aid

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

BINI

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Nation

Lawmaker calls out CHED over unused funds as students reportedly denied aid

Allison Co,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 27, 2026 03:43 PM PHT

|

Updated August 27, 2026 06:30 PM PHT

Read More:

Commission on Higher Education

Tulong Dunong Program

Roberto Nazal Jr.

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

Sign Up

I have read and agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy.

Haven't received our newsletter?

Check your inbox to verify and confirm your subscription. If you don’t see it, please check your spam or junk folder.

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.