Universities in Cebu, Bohol seek tuition hike

CEBU CITY, Cebu, Philippines - At least seven universities in Cebu and Bohol have asked the Commission on Higher Education (ChEd) to allow them to increase tuition for school year 2011-2012 which starts this June.

The proposed tuition increase varies from five to 10 percent for the University of San Carlos (USC), University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R), University of Southern Philippine-Foundation (USP-F), University of the Visayas (UV), University of Cebu (UC), and Velez College in Cebu and University of Bohol (UB) in Tagbilaran City, Bohol.

The move of the universities, however, did not come as good news for ordinary workers who are clamoring for salary increases due to the rising costs of transport fare and basic commodities. For most parents, increasing tuition is a double whammy considering that they are now burdened by the increase in daily transport fares.

"If approved, the increase will be too much of a burden for my family because I have two kids who are now in college," said Ronilo Javier, a delivery driver of a company in Cebu.

A few schools are holding on to their rates amid rising costs of fuel, transport fare and basic commodities, and even offering promotions to boost enrollment.

BIT International College in Bohol is offering a 50 percent discount to incoming students even as Southwestern University (SWU) and Cebu Doctors' University (CDU) have decided not to increase their tuition fees.

ChEd officials in Central Visayas have yet to issue a statement regarding said universities' move to increase their tuition fees.

Meanwhile, graduating high school students in the entire province of Cebu have been encouraged to enroll in reputable state or local colleges and schools instead of forcing themselves to expensive universities in the city.