(CNN Philippines) — Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago is set to file a resolution on Monday (May 25) calling for a Senate inquiry, in aid of legislation, on the Commission on Higher Education’s (CHED) recent approval of tuition hikes covering 313 colleges and universities nationwide.
Santiago, co-author of the Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education (Unifast) Bill, said lawmakers need to make sure that the tuition hikes are not merely for profit.
She cited CHED Memorandum No. 03 which states that 70% of funds of proceeds from tuition increases must be used to increase the salaries of teachers and school staff, while 20% must go toward building, equipment, and facilities improvement.
The CHED memorandum also states that public consultations must be done before increases in tuition are pushed.
“The CHED has issued guidelines for the use of funds derived from tuition increases, but we need to know how they ensure compliance with these rules. Is the submission of documentary requirements enough? Should there be on-site inspections?” said Santiago.
The senator also added that the memorandum does not require a clear breakdown of tuition hike proceeds. This, she said, makes it vulnerable to abuse.
“A school can always say that it increased the faculty’s wages, renovated a building, or bought new computers, but how does it support such claims?” said Santiago.
