6.6% tuition hike ok'd in 18 schools in Western Visayas

The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) 6 has approved the 6.6-percent increase in tuition in 18 private colleges and universities in Western Visayas.

For example, it is estimated that the increase per course unit, or credit unit, is at P55, or P1,650 for average 30 units.

Among the 18 schools that implemented immediately the 6.6-percent in tuition hike are Central Philippine University, John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University in Molo and Arevalo, and Western Institute of Technology.

According to CHED 6, increase in tuition is necessary.

“Necessary para sa ating mga guro na karamihan sa mga ito mga PhD [doctorate degree] holders at specialized na fields. Ang ating paaralan, kung hindi magtataas ng fees at hindi competitive ang sahod, they will also lose the faculties,” according to CHED 6 Director Raul Alvarez, Jr.

CHED 6 also pointed out that the increase is based on regional inflation rate.

Karl Andrei Pillo, an enrollee at John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University, told GMA Regional TV One Western Visayas that the tuition hike is an additional burden.

“Mabigat at syempre pang-allowance pa sana. Hindi pa nga alam ng parents ko na may increase,” Pillo said.

Gilda Salmeron who sends a grandchild to the Central Philippine University said that the money for the tuition hike could have been used as additional funds to cover other school fees.

“Mabigat kasi wala ka namang ibang inaasahan. Ang kita sa tindahan, konti lang naman,” Salmeron said.

Zaniel Badong, another student, said his mother is a government employee but, even then, the funds are not enough. His father is a person with disability (PWD) who earns a meager income as a rice field worker.

He said that the tuition hike is weighty and distressing.

“Ang allowance ko kasi is P1,000 lang per week. Pinagkakasya ko lang,” Badong pointed out.

Despite the implementation of increase in tuition, the number of enrollees at John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University has not diminished.

“At the end of the year, ipino-forward sa CHED ang lahat na gastos natin especially dahil 70% of that pumupunta sa mga empleyado in the form of salary, benefits,” said Robert Parcia, administrator of John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University-Arevalo, Inc. — GMA Regional TV One Western Visayas