THERE is finality on the “free tertiary education” but the coverage is still subject to clarification, the top official of the Commission on Higher Education (Ched) in Western Visayas said.
Cesar Medina, regional director of Ched-Western Visayas, Friday, March 16, told SunStar Bacolod that they cannot yet categorize or validate the list of state universities and colleges (SUCs) and local universities and colleges (LUCs) covered by the free tuition law earlier released by Ched central office.
Medina said there are at least 113 SUCs in the country, but based on the list reported by the media there are only a few schools covered by the law.
“Most of our SUCs are compliant and quality schools but they are not included in the list. It has no explanation yet thus, it is something that we have to clarify and verify,” he added.
Reports showed that Republic Act 10931, or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, signed into law by President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday covers a total of 112 SUCs, and 78 LUCs nationwide.
In Western Visayas, the agency listed 15 SUCs and LUCs.
These are Aklan State University, Capiz State University, Guimaras State College, Iloilo State College of Fisheries, Northern Iloilo Polytechnic State College, University of Antique, Iloilo Science and Technology University, West Visayas State University, Iloilo City Community College, Passi City College, and Libacao College of Science and Technology.
In Negros Occidental alone, covered schools are Carlos Hilado Memorial State College, Central Philippines State University, Northern Negros State College of Science and Technology, and Bago City College.
Medina said they cannot yet ascertain whether extension campuses of these SUCs are also availing the free tuition.
“We respect the pronouncement of the central office. However, in that regard, we have not received any official communication yet. We just learned it through the media,” Medina said, adding that “we will validate it first during our management committee (ManCom) meeting.”
All regional directors of the agency are set to meet for the National Directorate and Commission En Banc meeting at the Ched Central Office in Quezon City on March 19 to 20.
Western Visayas has 10 LUCs “but why is it only four were listed where in fact all schools are compliant,” the regional director further asked.
In terms of guidelines as to who can avail of the “free education” program, Medina said there is already implementing rules and regulation (IRR) which is still subject to 15-day publication.
“The free tuition we are talking here is under normal condition. Meaning, it would be expensive for the government to subsidize all students including those who are not deserving,” he stressed.
Medina also pointed that the implementation of the free tuition law this coming school year 2018 to 2019 is just a continuation.
He earlier told SunStar Bacolod that during the second semester of the school year 2017 to 2018, there were already 64 SUCs in Western Visayas, including Negros Occidental, availing of the program.
Of 64 SUCs in the region, four are in Negros Occidental.
These are the Carlos Hilado Memorial State College in Talisay City, Northern Negros Institute of Science and Technology in Sagay City, Central Philippines State University in Kabankalan City, and their extension campuses.
An extension campus of the Philippine Normal University in Cadiz City also started to implement free tuition this second semester.
The Ched earlier said that only degree programs it recognized and only LUCs with institutional government recognition are covered.
For his part, Mayor Nicholas Yulo said Bago City College is happy to be included in the “free tertiary education” program of the national government.
Yulo said it will also be a welcome development for the parents who labor and toil in order to send their children to college.
Though, the mayor said they are also waiting for the guidelines from the Ched as to the qualifications of the recipient-students.
“This will ensure that Bago City College will continue to deliver a quality tertiary education which it has strived to do in the past 38 years,” he added.
BCC accreditation
Bacolod City Councilor Renecito Novero, chairman of the City Council committee on education, is optimistic that the students of the Bacolod City College (BCC) could avail a free tuition fee starting the school year 2018-2019.
Novero said Friday they are still complying the requirements for the accreditation with Ched and they will set another hearing for the amendment of City Ordinance 175, or the Ordinance Creating the Bacolod City College, to get an accreditation from the Ched.
"Never lose hope and we will do our best to comply all the requirements," he said.
Novero said BCC already improved the institution, courses offered and facilities for the Ched compliance.
He said they will hold another set of hearing with the representatives from the Civil Service Commission, Department of budget and management, and the Department of the Interior and Local Government to get their advice and recommendations on the amendment of the City Ordinance 175.
Ched had earlier conducted an evaluation of the BCC's accreditation, which includes inspection of the BCC building, status of the employees, and its programs.
An accreditation from Ched is one of the requirements to avail of the free tuition," Novero said.
"We are underway in the compliance so that BCC can avail the free tuition program," he said. (with reports from Merlinda A. Pedrosa)