DBM: Free tuition in SUCs implemented in first sem of SY 2018-2019

Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno on Friday said that students in state universities and colleges would be able to avail of free tuition in 2018.

"The law is forward looking. It cannot be applied retroactively. Hence in the immediate term we're talking of academic year 2018-19; strictly speaking, the first semester of AY 2018-19," he said in a statement.

He also revealed that he would head the committee tasked to prepare Republic Act 10931's implementing rules and regulations.

Diokno, who earlier said the government could not afford the measure, said student population in 114 SUCs would be a factor in determining the allocation to implement the law.

"My immediate concern are those enrolled in the 114 SUCs. There should be no expansion in student population. The estimate has to be preceded by the number of predetermined student who are chosen, say X, on the basis of a nationwide test administered by CHED [Commission on Higher Education]. Unless we know X, we can't give an estimate," he said.

"Of course, there will be changes in the President's 2018 budget which has some P16 billion in various types of scholarships," he added. —NB, GMA News