Senator Pia S. Cayetano expressed strong support for the Commission on Higher Education’s (CHED) call urging Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to defer planned tuition increases, emphasizing the need to protect Filipino families already grappling with rising costs of living.
“I fully support CHED’s call for universities to hold off on tuition increases. Many families are already struggling with rising costs across the board. We must ensure that education remains accessible, especially during these challenging times,” Cayetano stated.
The Senator, who serves as Senior Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance and has handled the education budget for six years, stressed that accessible education is fundamental to breaking cycles of poverty and ensuring intergenerational equity.
Cayetano noted that the government has been working to strengthen support for higher education through the Tertiary Education Subsidy and increased funding for State Universities and Colleges. She emphasized that private institutions play a vital role in keeping education within reach of Filipino families, and expressed hope that, in this challenging time, they can work together with the government in exploring ways to ease the burden on students while sustaining the quality of education they provide.
Cayetano also commended CHED for maintaining an open dialogue with institutions while balancing the need to ensure that students and their families are not overburdened during this time. “I appreciate that CHED is engaging with HEIs on this matter. It’s important that we balance the operational needs of institutions with the capacity of families to afford education.”
The Senator called on higher education institutions to explore alternative means of addressing operational challenges without passing the burden to students and their families. She emphasized that investing in education is investing in the nation’s future, and accessibility must remain a priority.
“Education is the great equalizer. We cannot allow it to become a privilege that only the wealthy can afford,” Cayetano concluded.
Sen. Pia, Suportado ang Panawagang Ipagpaliban ang Tuition Hike
Sinusuportahan ni Senador Pia S. Cayetano ang panawagan ng Commission on Higher Education (CHED) sa mga Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) na ipagpaliban ang planong pagtaas ng matrikula, habang binibigyang-diin ang pangangailangang protektahan ang mga pamilyang Pilipinong nahihirapan na sa mabilis na pagtaas ng pang-araw-araw na gastusin.
“I fully support CHED’s call for universities to hold off on tuition increases. Many families are already struggling with rising costs across the board. We must ensure that education remains accessible, especially during these challenging times,” pahayag ni Cayetano.
Si Cayetano na nagsisilbing Senior Vice Chair ng Senate Committee on Finance at humawak ng badyet sa edukasyon sa loob ng anim na taon, ay nagpaliwanag na ang accessible na edukasyon ay susi sa pagwakas ng kahirapan at pagsisiguro ng intergenerational equity.
Binanggit ni Cayetano na nagsusumikap ang gobyerno na palakasin ang suporta sa mga programa sa higher education sa pamamagitan ng Tertiary Education Subsidy at pagtaas ng pondo para sa mga State Universities and Colleges. Binigyang-diin din niya ang mahalagang papel na ginagampanan ng mga pribadong institusyon sa pagpapanatiling abot-kaya ang edukasyon para sa mga pamilyang Pilipino. Nanawagan si Cayetano na magtulungan ang pribadong sektor at ang gobyerno upang pagaanin ang pasanin ng mga estudyante, lalo na sa panahon ngayon.
Pinuri rin ni Cayetano ang CHED sa pakikipag-dayalogo sa mga HEIs habang binabalanse ang pangangailangang tiyakin na ang mga estudyante at ang kanilang mga pamilya ay hindi lalong mahirapan sa kasalukuyan. “I appreciate that CHED is engaging with HEIs on this matter. It’s important that we balance the operational needs of institutions with the capacity of families to afford education.”
Hinimok ng Senador ang mga HEIs na humanap ng alternatibong paraan sa pagtugon sa mga hamon sa kanilang operasyon nang hindi ipapasa ang pasanin sa mga estudyante at kanilang mga pamilya. Naniniwala si Cayetano na ang pamumuhunan sa edukasyon ay pamumuhunan sa kinabukasan ng bansa, at ang accessibility ay dapat manatiling priyoridad.
“Education is the great equalizer. We cannot allow it to become a privilege that only the wealthy can afford,” pagtatapos ni Cayetano.
Leave a Reply