168,000 fail to enter SUCs amid capacity issues

At least 168,000 students have been denied admission to state universities and colleges amid SUC capacity issues.

- By BELLA CARIASO

Data submitted by 62 of 115 SUCs showed that 32 of the SUCs or 52 percent have exceeded their capacities. Meanwhile, 11 SUCs or 18 percent have reached 100 percent capacity.

As a result, 168,493 students were denied enrollment despite qualifying for admission.

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate committee on finance, said SUCs should focus on increasing academic capacities.

He also asked the SUCs to submit their capital outlay requirements focused on classrooms and other academics-related needs.

“The goal here is no more displaced students,” Gatchalian added.

He noted that the SUCs’ capital outlay decreased from P31 billion in 2024 to P17 billion in 2025.