Free college education law could be Duterte's big announcement in 2nd SONA

Sen. Sonny Angara on Sunday said President Rodrigo Duterte might sign the free college education bill on or before his second State of the Nation Address (SONA) in July.

"I'm very optimistic that President Duterte will sign this on or before his schedule State of the Nation Address (SONA) in July."

"It could be his biggest and best announcement for all of us that day," Angara said.

The senator said the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education bill, recently approved and ratified by both houses of Congress, will allow poor students to pursue college for free.

With this law, even the financially-incapable Filipino families can give their children college education without worrying how to pay for it because it will be for free,” he said.

The two Houses of Congress have already approved and ratiffled the measure which would make education at the State universities and Colleges (SUCs) as well as local universities and colleges (LUCs) at no cost specially to poor students.

"With this law, even the financially-incapable Filipino families can give their children college education without worrying how to pay for it because it will be free. This will definitely be a big sigh of relief for parents. With free tertiary education in SUCs and LUCs, no more tears of frustration on their part." Angara said.

Meanwhile, Angara said he will push for another bill during the next session of Congress that will give students a year-round 20-percent discount on regular fares.

Students can only avail of discounts on fares during schooldays.

He said the Student Fare Discount bill will include train fares, airplane fares, and ship fares.