Apayao State College (ASC) President John N. Cabansag, along with Finance Director Joyce P. Hidalgo, Planning & MIS Director Dr. Hannie T. Martin, and Luna Campus Budget Officer Ms. Noreen P. Raralio, actively participated in crucial budget discussions and hearings to support Luzon State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) for Fiscal Year 2026.
On September 24, 2025, ASC officials attended the pre-plenary budget briefing at the House of Representatives in Quezon City, presided over by Congressman Leandro Legarda Leviste, Vice Chair of the Appropriations Committee. They also joined a consultative meeting with Congressman Jude Acidre, Chair of the House Committee on Higher and Technical Education.
The following day, September 25, ASC representatives took part in the plenary budget hearing sponsored by the Committee on Appropriations, led by Congresswoman Mika Suansing and vice chairpersons Monique Lagdameo and Cha Hernandez. The hearing concluded with a commitment to provide an additional PhP 9.97 billion in funding for the Tertiary Education Subsidy and essential CHED ICT and infrastructure development projects.
During the budget deliberations, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) pledged PhP 7.8 billion from the Higher Education Development Fund to support SUCs, complemented by an additional PhP 4.49 billion from the House to address Full Higher Education (FHE) deficiencies.
On September 26, 2025, the ASC officials joined 113 SUCs in a Meet and Greet Session at the Manila Polo Club in Makati with Senator Loren Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Higher and Technical Education; Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance; and Representative Leandro Legarda Leviste, Vice Chair of the House Committee on Appropriations. The session focused on discussing the budget for SUCs for the upcoming fiscal year.
The CHED family expressed deep gratitude for the steadfast support of House Speaker Bojie Dy, Majority Leader Congressman Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos, Congresswoman Suansing, co-sponsors Lagdameo and Hernandez, Congressman Roman Romulo, and all members of both the majority and minority blocs.
These collective efforts mark a significant advancement in strengthening higher education in the Philippines, ensuring enhanced opportunities and vital resources for students nationwide.
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credits: Pres. John N. Cabansag
