MikeLigalig.com

By Aurea Calica
Philippine Star

Malacañang yesterday warned colleges and universities that they could face penalties for implementing excessive tuition fee increases this school year.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte reminded school authorities that under the law deregulating private schools, they were allowed to increase tuition but only up to a certain extent based on current inflation rates.

Valte said the increases were meant to cover higher salaries for teachers and other needs.

“Every year, there is an expected increase within a reasonable percentage, but I hope they will not abuse this and will not raise their tuition beyond what is allowed,” Valte said.

Valte said it would be up to the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to check on the increases made by the schools.

“To those who will abuse, there are corresponding penalties,” Valte said.

The CHED announced Friday that close to 300 colleges and universities in the country will hike tuition this year.

The figure - 282 - represents more than 15 percent of the 1,792 college-level schools in the Philippines.

CHED, however, was quick to assure the public that state colleges and universities will not raise their tuition.

CHED said 69 private colleges and universities in Metro Manila are expected to hike tuition this coming school year, with St. Luke’s College of Medicine eyeing a 12-percent increase.

Meantime, the University of the East-College of Medicine, Ateneo de Manila University, Ateneo Graduate School of Business, Miriam College, Assumption College and OB Montessori will increase their tuition by five percent.

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