Only 19 schools in region push for tuition fee hike

CEBU, Philippines - Of the 153 higher education institutions in the region, only 19 have filed for a tuition fee increase for school year 2009-2010, said Dr. Candelario Aytona of the Commission on Higher Education.

Six of these are from Cebu City and the Province of Cebu namely: Asian College of Technology, Cebu Aeronautical Technical School, Cebu Eastern College, Cebu Roosevelt Memorial College, Consolatrix College in Toledo and Velez College.

Another six come from the Bohol; the Blessed Trinity College in Talibon, the Northern Star College in Ubay, the Crystal-E College in Panglao, the Holy Name University in Tagbilaran, the Notre Dame College in Tubigon and the University of Bohol.

In Negros Oriental the seven institutions were AMA in Dumaguete, Diaz College, Foundation University, La Consolacion College in Bais City, Metro Dumaguete College, Negros Maritime College Foundation in Sibulan and Saint Joseph College of Kanlaon.

But Aytona said that there are some institutions that earlier withdrew their intent to increase and some also lowered their tuition fee for this coming school year.

He also said that CHED continues its appeal for schools not to implement tuition fee hikes this school year due to the economic crisis

However CHED deputy executive director Julito Vitriolo admitted these schools have the right to raise their tuition, but due to the economic crisis the commission is appealing to these schools to postpone their plans.

“We hope they will change their mind and put off the planned increase. That is our call. They still have time to postpone it,” he said.

Vitriolo also reminded school officials that they should be able to justify the reason for the hike. He also said parents should be consulted first before implementing such a plan.

Earlier, CHED Chairman Emmanuel Angeles released a memorandum appealing to the higher education institutions not to increase tuition and other fees for the coming school year.

The memorandum was based on the request of various student and parent groups and the current economic condition of our country. — Johanna Natavio/BRP (THE FREEMAN)