Manila, Feb. 16 -- More college students from low-income families are set to benefit from the expanded budget for the Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) this year, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian said Monday.

The 2026 national budget allocates PHP30.8 billion for TES to support underprivileged but qualified students, including those from areas without state or local universities and colleges.

This is a significant increase from the PHP21.7 billion allocated for TES in 2025.

Gatchalian said the expanded budget is expected to benefit around 1.3 million students, with 200,000 slots reserved for incoming college students from families covered by the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).

A special provision in the 2026 national budget provides...