Senator Pia Backs CHED’s Call to Defer Tuition Fee Increases

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.