President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is steadily establishing his legacy as an “education president” as the House of Representatives approved on third and final reading two measures expanding government support for Filipino students.

The House on Monday evening approved House Bills 8476 and 8477, expanding the government’s Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) and institutionalizing the Presidential Merit Scholarship Program (PMSP), respectively.

In a statement Tuesday, Speaker Faustino Dy III said the passage of the bills signals Congress’ commitment to strengthening the Marcos administration’s push to widen access to higher education and invest in the country’s future workforce.

“President Bongbong Marcos is clearly cementing his legacy as an education president — one who believes that the future of the nation depends on how we educate and empower our young people today,” Dy said.

Both measures form part of the administration’s priority bills under the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC).

Dy said the reforms complement the government’s PHP1.345-trillion allocation for the education sector under the 2026 General Appropriations Act, the largest in Philippine history.

“With the record education budget and these reforms expanding scholarships and subsidies, we are reinforcing the country’s commitment to invest in the potential of every Filipino student,” Dy said.

HB 8476 seeks to expand the coverage of the Tertiary Education Subsidy under Republic Act 10931, or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, to ensure that more financially disadvantaged students can complete their college education.

Under the measure, the subsidy would cover more qualified students in state and local universities and other eligible institutions, helping them pay for tuition, books, transportation and other essential expenses.

Dy said strengthening student assistance programs is crucial to ensuring that poverty does not prevent capable Filipino youth from pursuing higher education.

“Behind every student who wants to go to college is a family hoping for a better future. Expanding the Tertiary Education Subsidy means we are helping thousands more Filipino families send their children to school and pursue their dreams,” he said.

Meanwhile, HB 8477 institutionalizes the PMSP, creating a national framework to support academically outstanding senior high school graduates.

The measure integrates the Bagong Pilipinas Merit Scholarship Program into a permanent system that will help top-performing students pursue college and contribute to national development.

Dy said recognizing and nurturing academic excellence is essential to building a stronger and more competitive Philippines.

“Our country has no shortage of talented young people. What we must do is ensure that excellence is supported and that these students are given the opportunity to develop their potential for the benefit of the nation,” he said.

The measures were principally authored by Leyte 1st District Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, together with Tingog Party-list Reps. Yedda Marie Romualdez, Andrew Julian Romualdez and Jude Acidre.

Acidre, who chairs the House Committee on Higher and Technical Education, said the approval of the measures reflects continuing efforts to strengthen the country’s higher education support system by addressing both access to education and support for academic excellence.

“These measures strengthen the policies that allow Filipino students not only to enter higher education, but to remain in school and complete their studies,” Acidre said in a separate statement.

“When government supports both access and excellence, we create a higher education system that allows talent to develop and contribute to national progress.”

Among the key provisions of HB 8476 is the automatic inclusion of students from Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) households in the TES (Tertiary Education Subsidy) once they qualify for admission to higher education institutions recognized by the Commission on Higher Education.

The measure also introduces a voucher mechanism allowing qualified students to enroll in private higher education institutions or technical-vocational institutions in areas where there are no nearby state universities and colleges, local universities and colleges, or public technical-vocational institutions.

Meanwhile, HB 8477 provides comprehensive financial support to qualified scholars enrolled in state universities and colleges, local universities and colleges, or accredited private higher education institutions.

Eligible applicants must belong to the top one percent of their graduating class or obtain a weighted average of at least 95 percent, while also coming from households with an annual income not exceeding PHP2 million, subject to periodic adjustment.

“Education remains one of the most important investments a nation can make,” he said. “By strengthening access, supporting academic excellence, and improving the systems that help students succeed, we are helping build the foundation for the country’s long-term development.” (PNA)