COMMISSION ON HIGHER TUITION!

QUESTION OF THE DAY

Are you in favor of divorce?

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I see very alarming issues in the news that a total of 324 colleges and universities have raised their tuition this coming school year.

The Commission on Higher Education (Ched) reported that the tuition increase was from P50.44 to as high as P72.77 per unit in Central and Southern Luzon and in Metro Manila.

So how many college kids were forced to stop studying this school year because their families could no longer afford their tuition? Did the number increase or decrease compared to last school year?

Somebody from Ched had better come out with the figure (s), fast, so that we’ll know what we’re REALLY up against as far as kids and the education sector are concerned.

The Ched had also better tell us NOW how do they intend to help out-of-school college kids.

A friend of ours said he knows of a Ched program for poor but deserving college students. But the questions are how many beneficiaries can be accommodated and what is the budget for it, as against the multi-billion national outlay for Education?

Third: What is the basis of the Ched in approving the tuition increase of the 324 colleges and universities? Locally or nationally, I haven’t read or heard of anything about this. Have you, guys?

The immediate justification (s) for increased charges in any sector or enterprise is the business is losing.

But have you heard of EVEN ONE college or university, especially among the leading ones, who has warned of closure or has started to lay off employees because they lost a lot of money last school year?

If none of the 324 can’t claim, and PROVE, that it indeed lost money and will close shop if it won’t raise tuition, then there’s no other reason for added tuition but GREED, AN UNQUENCHABLE THIRST FOR MONEY.

And if the Ched can’t justify its approval of the higher tuition, then it’s nothing less than a PARTNER to this GREED, and thus should be renamed Commission on Higher Tuition.

I’m not anti-business, let that be for the record.

But the bottom line is UNAFFORDABLE COILLEGE EDUCATION IS FAST KILLING both the kids and their parents.

Families of college kids are FORCED TO TIGHTEN their belts, which in turn affects the quality of their life. When the kid can no longer be sent college, his future turns from BRIGH TO DIM,

The long-term effect is we’ll have lesser and lesser qualified leaders and professionals in the future, which will definitely decrease the productivity, efficiency and competitiveness of both the Filipino and the country in the world market.

A thousand to one, the Ched won’t take responsibility when that happens.

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Six of our friends on “’Double talk’ Pnoy style”:

VENIR VENZON of New Millford, New Jersey, USA

Just like in the past. Philippines politics ....resign before it gets worse, or resign so that the media's attention gets diverted to something else!

VIRGIIO PERALES of Bogo, Cebu

Patronage politics!!

JOSE REYES of Bacolod City

Bro, try to buy a balut...and they’ll give you a penoy if you would not ascertain it. Magical trance...dalawang daan baluktot at matuwid, pero malubak. Let’s get them.

JOSE MARIA MONTELIBANO of Bacolod City

I am now confused by what "administrative charges" mean and what they cover, especially when they are proven valid after an investigation. The news on TV says that the administrative charges against Diokno are moot and academic because he is resigned. Maybe, it is criminal charges you mean that Diokno cannot be saved from even if he resigns. Are there criminal charges against Diokno? it can help us discern if there was double talk on the part of Pnoy.

BENJAMIN SAMONTE of Chicafo, Illinois, USA

The usual style of politicians. Pa-resignin kuno, then give him another juicy job. Sobra utang na loob ni Pnoy diyan kay Diokno. That's why "bad eggs" in the government are "never" removed because of ‘UTANG NA LOOB’.

ISAGANI MACARAIG of San Pascual, Batangas

Our country is so small yet so divided. That is why it is hard for our leaders to muster all the support they need to catapult our country to greatness. Each and every Filipino is good even excellent as an individual but selfishness (regionalism and political patronage) is one trait we must overcome.

Seven of our friends on “On-the-spot lifestyle check for NBP bosses”:

JOEY TRAUSING

Pano nga ba ang batas sa Pilipinas kung ganun parati ang gagawin?

MARLENE HOWE of Tacoma, Washington, USA

Not just for NBP but all government positions should undergo a lifestyle check, including the President! After all, they are supposed to be public servants.

INDAYROSE CASTEEL of Los Angeles, California, USA

The rich commit crime but are treated like guests in prison! The poor just lay and die there. Hopeless unless the heavens openup. In America, criminals are locked up regardless of their status. No special treatment! With this Bilibid issue, it all boils down to who you know and what your money can do for you

VANGIE DELA CUESTA of San Juan. Batangas

Lifestyle check? Gasgas na itong lifestyle check. Walang nangyayari, walang napaparusahan. They're still flaunting their ill-gotten wealth, riding the best cars in town and having houses that are beyond imagination.

MALOU MARIANO

I thought that on-the-spot lifestyle check is a government policy for all officials? Who is supposed to conduct this check anyway?

NIQUEKY LAU

Sir Boyet, lifestyle check not just for NBP bosses. Why not include all attached bureaus and agencies of government departments?

DATU CAMAD ALI of Balo-1, lanao del Norte

Thumbs up! The other option is subject officials to PD 749. Maraming kakanta sa karaoke ng Bilibid. 30