Lim stops collection of admission fee by city college

MANILA, Philippines — Sticking to his promise to make education absolutely free at the City College of Manila (CCM), Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim has stopped the school from collecting admission fee from students. Lim recently told the school to return the P200 admission fee collected earlier by the registrar from applicants who want to enroll at CCM for school year 2009–2010. A press statement by the mayor’s office said Lim learned of the collection of admission fee through a report contained in an anonymous letter sent to him. “The collection of the admission fee defied the pronouncement of Mayor Lim that education is absolutely 100% free at CCM starting last November 3, 2008," the statement said. Lim reportedly called the attention of CCM’s Board of Regents and demanded an explanation why they decided to collect the fees without consulting him first. “Lagi kong sinasabi na libre ang pag-aaral dito sa CCM, kaya walang dapat bayaran ang mga estudyante, lahat ng gastusin dito ay sasagutin ng pamahalaan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (I have been saying that education here at CCM is absolutely free, courtesy of the city government)," Lim stressed. Admission for school year 2009-2010 at CCM is still ongoing. - GMANews.TV