24 WV colleges increase tuition fee
The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) confirmed that a whooping 800% increase in the number of higher education institutions in Western Visayas have increased tuition fee for school year 2010-2011.
From only 3 colleges last year, there were 23 private schools and one state college that will increase their tuition fee, said CHED assistant regional director Engr. Rex Casiple.
“There were only three colleges which increase their tuition fee last year because we appealed to them to defer the increase because of the global financial crisis,” he added.
Of the said number, nine are from Iloilo City, seven from Bacolod City, 5 from Negros Occidental, and one each from Aklan, Roxas City, Iloilo province and Guimaras.
In Iloilo City, to increase their tuition fee are St. Paul University of Iloilo, which asked for a 5% hike (P557.15 average tuition fee per unit); Western Institute of Technology (P446.25 at 5.44% increase), John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University – Molo Campus (P579.46 at 8%), John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University – Arevalo Campus (P795.86 at 8%); Iloilo Doctors’ College (P460 at 4.55%); St. Therese – MTC Colleges – La Fiesta campus (P368.05 at 10%); St. Therese-MTC Colleges – Magdalo Campus (356.85 at 10%); and University of Iloilo (P479.10 at 8%).
In Iloilo province, the St. Therese MTC Colleges – Tigbauan campus asked for a 10% tuition fee increase. This puts its average tuition fee per unit at P381.92.
In Bacolod City, CHED identified the colleges that would increase their tuition fee as Colegio San Agustin (P535.49 at 10%); John B. Lacson Colleges Foundation (P463.43 at 10%); La Consolacion College (P548.50 at 4.74%); Riverside College (P407.31 at 6.20%); University of Negros Occidental – Recoletos ((753.05 at 10%); University of St. La Salle (P827.52 at 5.30%); and VMA Global College (P362.69 at 5%).
In Negros Occidental, these schools are Binalbagan Catholic College (P262 at 7.60% increase); Central Philippine Adventist College (P506 at 10%); Colegio de Sta. Rita (P468.71 at 6.20%); Silay Institute (P270.05 at 10%); and Tañon College (P330 at 10%).
Others who will also increase are Filamer Christian College in Roxas City (P324.58 at 5%) and STI College in Kalibo (P370 at 2%).
The only state-run college which asked for tuition fee was Guimaras State College in Guimaras (P142.50 average tuition fee per unit). It also posted the biggest tuition fee hike at P31.25%.
Casiple said that they did not consider the petition of one school for reasons of lack of documents and late submission of requirements
Casiple said that three reasons were cited for the increase: increase of salary of teachers/staff; improvement or modernization of physical facilities; and increase in the maintenance and cost of operating expenses.
In school year 2008-2009, twenty-eight schools increased their tuition fee at an average of 8%.
“We can’t dictate the percentage of increase. On our part, we will just process application to see to it that they all requirement. Once followed, especially with the holding of the consultation, the CHED could not do anything about it,” he explained
Once followed, especially with the holding of the consultation, Casiple said that CHED could not do anything about it.
“Once the consultation was held, we presumed that the school administration came up with an agreement with representatives from the student organizations, alumni, and faculty, among others,” Casiple noted.
