P1.3B proposed budget cut for six Cordillera universities raises concerns; MPSU to suffer most with P961M reduction

Tabuk City, Kalinga - Six universities in the Cordillera region are facing a proposed ₱1.3 billion budget cut for 2026, raising concerns among students and educators about the potential impact on education quality and campus facilities.

Under the proposed 2026 budget, the funding for the region’s six state universities, according to a regional media,would fall from P4.68 billion this year to P3.4 billion, a 27% decrease with the biggest reductions coming from the capital outlays which pay for building classrooms, facilities, and procurement of equipment.

If the budget cut gets approved, funding for capital outlays will decrease drastically from P1.79 billion this year to a meager P143 million for 2026.

Said proposal was made amid ongoing corruption allegations tied to national infrastructure projects, prompting students to question the government’s priorities and call for a reallocation of public funds toward education rather than questionable ventures.

The SUCs named based on the 2025 General Appropriation Act vs. 2026 National Expenditure Program figures, are Mountain Province State University with the largest cut in the Cordillera and the second largest nationwide— a P961.6 million cut (66% less), with its capital outlay slashed by 99%; while University of Abra ranks 5th in the country with a P336.2 million budget cut, mostly in capital outlay, which dropped by 98%.

Other SUCs include Apayao State College, 10th nationwide, losing P86.7 million (21%); Kalinga State University losing P85 million (15%), mostly in capital outlay. Additionally, Benguet State University saw a 46% cut in capital outlay despite an overall budget increase.

Further, the University of the Philippines System, including UP Baguio, faces a P21 billion budget shortfall.

Meantime, the National Union of Students of the Philippines Cordillera- the regional chapter of the Philippines’ largest progressive student alliance- strongly rejected the proposed budget cuts in their Facebook post.

“We cannot accept this. As students of Cordillera, it is our duty to demand a higher budget for education. This proposal can still be changed. We must consolidate our strength and work with various student groups and student governments. We must engage our university administrators and local lawmakers to push for a bigger budget. Most importantly, we must mobilize the general student body to assert our right to quality education,” they wrote.

With these massive budget cuts, students in Cordillera will certainly face greater hardships, prompting a call for unity among students and leaders to secure better funding and education quality.