Free College Tuition Brings Education Closer to Negrense Youth

One of the most applauded laws signed by President Rodrigo R. Duterte is Republic Act 10931, or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act (UAQTEA), which mandates free tuition and miscellaneous fees in state universities and colleges (SUCs).

Under this law, enrolled college students need not pay for tuition, miscellaneous, and similar or related fees. Library, computer, laboratory, school ID, athletic, admission, development, handbook, guidance, entrance, registration, medical, dental, and cultural fees are included in the miscellaneous fees.

In Negros Occidental, students of the Bacolod City College (BCC) and Technological University of the Philippines Visayas (TUPV) in neighboring Talisay City have benefited from the law.

“As a student, I am very thankful to President Duterte, as well as other government officials, who worked hard to make this free tuition program possible and accessible to every Filipino youth,” said Mira Nicole Magbanua, president of the BCC Supreme Student Government.

Magbanua, a senior student of office administration, added that students can now pursue their studies with fewer worries.

Some students have to do part-time jobs to pay for their school expenses, but since they no longer have to pay for tuition and other fees, they will have more time to prepare for their classes and worry less about finances, the student leader said.
“Most of all, the free tuition will lessen the financial burden of our parents, especially those who have unstable jobs, but still work hard for their children’s future,” Magbanua added.

“With this program, there will be no reason for the out-of-school youth not to continue their studies. This will be the bridge of every youth for a brighter tomorrow,” she said.

The BCC, which has more than 3,000 students, charges PHP30 per unit. Each student pays PHP1,196 for 29 units, including miscellaneous and other fees.

Mayor Evelio Leonardia, chairman of BCC, said he considered it a big deal that the city government-run college has finally been granted the privilege to offer quality education for free.

“We are really glad about it. For sure, it will encourage more of our less fortunate students to enroll. In effect, if the national government will pay us, we will plow it back to the BCC. We believe education should be a priority,” he added.
Over at the TUPV, more than 1,000 Negrense students are expected to avail of free tuition, miscellaneous, and similar or related fees starting school year 2019-2020, which begins in August.

“No student should be left out. Everything is free. This is a great opportunity for the students,” TUPV campus director Eric Malo-oy said.

Before the free tertiary education law was implemented, each TUPV student paid about PHP9,000 each term. Since it runs on a trimester system, total school fees each year amounted to PHP27,000. (PNA)