Cagayan coed’s kin get financial assistance

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Philippines  – The family of a student who reportedly committed suicide for failing to pay school fees has received P50,000 in financial assistance from the Cagayan State University (CSU).

Rosana Sanfuego’s mother, Sofia, was given a check drawn from the school’s Students’ Mutual Aid Fund Program, CSU president Romeo Quilang said over the weekend.

The assistance was handed over to Sofia by Julius Capili, dean of CSU College of Allied Health Studies at the family’s home in Abulug town on March 6.

Quilang said Sofia apologized to the university for having been dragged into the controversy sparked by her daughter’s suicide last Feb. 25.

Rosana was buried on March 5.

Sofia said she would use the money to improve her daughter’s tomb.

Before hanging herself, Rosana reportedly sent text messages to her brother, telling him about her financial problem, said Chief Inspector Engelbert Bunagan, town police chief.

Rosana’s death revived controversy on commercial education in the country.    

In 2013, a student of the University of the Philippines, Kristel Tejada, killed herself over unpaid tuition.