UNIVERSITY of Cebu (UC) president Augusto Go announced on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, that the school will freeze tuition fees for the 2026–2027 academic year.
Go, a lawyer, withdrew a petition for a tuition increase to keep education accessible for struggling families.
He said maintaining current rates will help students complete their degrees and foster steady enrollment growth.
“I have always believed that education is life’s greatest equalizer. Students need education and I’m not going to deny them that part,” Go, owner and founder of the school, said in a press briefing.
With this development, students will be able to complete their courses without facing additional tuition fees, allowing them to pursue careers such as nursing, education, law and medicine without extra financial strain.
Go acknowledged the challenges faced by many Filipino families amid the rising cost of living.
“People are suffering, but they need education. If you raise your tuition fee while people are struggling, enrollment will drop. But if you maintain or lower tuition, more students can enroll. We will work by the volume,” he said.
The decision reflects a strategic balance between sustaining the university’s operations and ensuring students are not deprived of opportunities because of financial constraints.
“It’s like a cycle. If you don’t give them good education, they cannot become nurses, teachers, lawyers, or doctors,” Go added.
Education advocates and student groups in Cebu have welcomed Go’s announcement, calling it a “relief” amid ongoing inflation and economic challenges.
By keeping tuition steady, UC aims to support students while fostering steady enrollment growth — a move Go believes benefits both the institution and the wider community.
The tuition freeze at UC serves as a reminder of the university’s long-standing commitment to its students, ensuring that higher education remains within reach even in difficult times.
UCMed and St. Vincent General Hospital, both owned by Go, also announced a freeze in the hospitals’ standard rates covering services, laboratory examinations and medicines. (See separate story) / ABC