In a recent public hearing, Senator Loren Legarda, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Higher, Technical and Vocational Education in the Philippines, discussed six priority bills aimed at reforming the governance of higher education and technical education. These reforms include the modernization of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). Legarda pointed out that the existing charters for these institutions are over three decades old and do not reflect the current educational landscape. The proposed reforms aim to address institutional challenges, such as disparities in faculty pay at local universities and colleges (LUCs), and to enhance the quality of education. Key proposals include differentiated autonomy for state universities based on performance, mandatory certification for governing board members, and the establishment of a Philippine Higher Education Leadership Academy. Additionally, the modernization act for TESDA seeks to expand its capabilities and improve scholarship program evaluations. Legarda concluded the hearing by reaffirming the committee's commitment to refining these reforms to ensure that education remains central to national development, particularly for underprivileged Filipino students.