The program, launched on Dec. 4, 2025, is being implemented in partnership with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).)
It offers three-year diploma programs in Hospitality Management and Tourism Management, which TESDA says are in high demand both locally and abroad.
Championing accessible education
Lawyer Augusto W. Go, UC chair and a longtime advocate of accessible education, urged the public to help spread the word so that more poor but deserving students can take advantage of the program.
“There are so many who cannot afford to go to college. Let’s help them. This is money well-spent,” he said.
He stressed that education must never be a privilege, nor a door closed to those who lacked resources.
“Education is life’s greatest equalizer,” he pointed out in a press conference Friday, Dec. 5, 2025 at his office in UC Main.
Go said his mission has always been to extend UC’s reach to the poorest sectors.
“If you’re qualified, come over here,” he urged. “The government is going to spend for it. Everything is free, not even a peso needed,” he added.
Transparency and accountability
Based on a TESDA circular implementing Republic Act 10931, or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act (UAQTEA), each scholar will receive a subsidy of P45,000 per semester or P90,000 per year, totaling P270,000 for the entire three-year program.
The subsidy is divided as follows:
To prevent accusations of mishandling of funds, each scholar will have their own Landbank ATM card, where TESDA will deposit the funds directly.
UAQTEA mandates free tuition and government support for public tertiary education, including Philippine Qualifications Framework (PQF) Level V Diploma programs, bridging vocational skills to a future bachelor’s degree.
Graduates from the 3-year diploma may proceed to a 4th year to complete a full bachelor’s degree, if they want.
Time-bound program urges applicants to act fast
Although classes would officially start on Dec. 15 as mandated by TESDA, enrollment would continue until Dec. 29 to give more time for the applicants.
Go, however, urged those interested to apply immediately since the program was time-bound.
“If the slots are not filled, the funds will be returned to the National Government,” he said.
When the program was launched on Dec. 4, only 296 had enrolled, leaving 2,349 slots still open.
Go said slots are open to all Cebuanos and residents outside Cebu without any age limit.
“If you have the will to study, UC will help you graduate,” he said.
Applicants need to submit the following requirements:
Alternative Learning System (ALS) passers and pre-K-12 high school graduates are also welcome, said Dr. Dennis A. Samar, UC director for technical education.
Expansion and accessibility
While the courses would initially be offered at the UC Maritime Education and Training Center (METC), Go said the program would be expanded to UC’s campuses along Osmeña Boulevard, Barangay Banilad, and Lapu-Lapu-Mandaue to lessen transportation burden for scholars coming from different areas.
“We will open all our campuses. We will take care of them,” said Go.
In urging the public to take advantage of the program, Go stressed that these scholarship programs were not handouts from politicians but from public funds.
“We are already paying taxes -- gasoline tax, road tax, income tax. Let us make use of our money for this, not for contractors,” he said.
The timing of this program feels like a gift, noted Go.
“Imagine earning a diploma after three years, all for free. “This is the best Christmas gift we can give to our youth,” he added.
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