As with large-scale budget cuts in state university and college (SUC) nationwide, SUCs in Mindanao also had their budgets slashed up almost half for 2025. One of the biggest cuts is the Mindanao State University (MSU) system, which consists of five campuses (Marawi, Naawan, Maguindanao, General Santos and Sulu), whose student population is predominantly Moro. The budget of MSU-Tawi-tawi College of Technology and Oceanography, which has a separate budget, also dropped significantly.

From ₱12.4 billion in 2024, the MSU System is allocated only ₱6.99 billion this year, or ₱5.4 billion less. MSU-Tawi-tawi’s budget was also heavily cut, from ₱2.8 million in 2024 to just ₱1.7 this year. Only the MSU-Iligan Institute of Technology has increased slightly, from ₱1.38 billion in 2024 to ₱1.4 billion this year.

MSU campuses were established to give Moro youth college education opportunities. Its main campus is in Marawi City in the province of Lanao del Sur. Its history is rich in producing graduates who serve the people in Mindanao. Its students are currently mixed coming from different parts of the island. However, Moro teachers and students remain predominant on its campuses. It also offers scholarships with Moros as the main patrons.

In 2017, the operation of its main campus was severely derailed when the AFP attacked Marawi City and the then Duterte regime imposed martial law in Mindanao. This traumatized and adversely affected teachers and students. Many were evicted from the campus and the displacement of a large part of the city’s population dropped university enrollment. Instead of strengthening the university, along with the urgent return of the evacuees to their areas, the reactionary state delayed the rehabilitation process and prioritized the construction of a military camp. Residents have yet to recover until now.

Apart from MSU, the budget of Northern Bukidnon State College, Davao del Sur State College, Sultan Kudarat State College, Surigao de Norte State College and Cotabato State University was also cut. There are a total of 34 public universities and colleges in Mindanao. Overall, the budget allocated to them decreased by 6.38% this year compared to 2024.

At the national level, a total of ₱6.07 billion was cut in the budget for SUCs this year. Among those reduced is the University of the Philippines system, which has a campus in Tugbok District, Davao City (UP-Mindanao).