Senate set to ratify education voucher bill modeled after Taguig program

A bill that would establish a government-funded education voucher program, drawing heavily from Senator Alan Peter Cayetano’s proposal and the Taguig City’s learner voucher system, is set for Senate ratification on July 28, 2026.

The proposed Basic Education Voucher Program Act would allow qualified Kindergarten to Grade 12 learners to use government-funded vouchers to enroll in any private school recognized by the Department of Education (DepEd).

The bicameral conference committee approved the reconciled version of the measure last week after harmonizing Senate Bill No. 1981 and House Bill No. 10221. Once ratified by both the Senate and the House of Representatives, the bill will be transmitted to Malacañang for the President’s action.

The Senate version adopted key provisions from Cayetano’s Senate Bill No. 422, or the Learner’s Choice Act of 2025, which was patterned after the Taguig Learner’s Certificate (TLC) Program.

The measure gives priority to students enrolled in overcrowded public schools, particularly those from low-income families. It also extends coverage to disadvantaged learners, including out-of-school youth, persons with disabilities, orphans, Indigenous Peoples, students in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas, and beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program.

Compared with the existing Expanded Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education (E-GASTPE) program, the proposed system would allow families greater flexibility in selecting schools and would cover learners from Kindergarten through Grade 12.

The bill also introduces a quality assurance framework and incorporates safeguards and penalties proposed by Cayetano to prevent ghost beneficiaries, payment delays, and other fraudulent practices.

To help parents and students make informed decisions, DepEd would maintain a public database of participating private schools containing information on tuition rates, academic programs, school capacity, and key performance indicators.

Cayetano, a former co-chairperson of the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2), said the measure is intended to help fulfill every Filipino child's constitutional right to quality education.

“The Constitution guarantees the right of every Filipino to accessible and quality education at all levels and mandates the State to take appropriate steps to make such education available to all,” he said.

“I’d like to see the day na kapag pinanganak ka sa Pilipinas, regardless kung ano apelyido mo, kung mayaman ka o hindi, if you want to go to the best private school sa inyong province or city, you’ll have the opportunity to do that,” he added.

Recognized by EDCOM 2 and identified by DepEd as a model initiative, the TLC Program provides qualified students with a P10,000 educational allowance and a tuition subsidy of up to P18,000. The program currently partners with 60 private schools in Taguig City.

The TLC Program was launched under the administration of Taguig Mayor Lani Cayetano, whose education initiatives have included scholarship programs, early childhood education, nutrition assistance, school support, and public-private partnerships.

She is also a member of EDCOM 2's Education, Legislation and Policy Advisory Council, which brings together representatives from local governments, educational institutions, the private sector, and civil society to discuss education reforms.