ANG ITIM NA LASO AY SUMISIMBOLO SA PAKIKIISA NG THE TORCH PUBLICATIONS SA PAGKUNDENA LABAN SA PAGSIKIL SA KARAPATAN NG PAMAMAHAYAG AT KAWALANG HUSTISYA SA MGA NASAWING MAMAMAHAYAG NG AMPATUAN MASSACRE.
The Torch
TOMO 65 BILANG 1 JUNE 2012 ISSUE
INSIDE: PNU TAAI gained SEC registration p. 6
TOFI burdens students The National Union of Students of the Philippines (NUSP), a nation-wide alliance of student councils/ governments/unions committed to the advancement of the students’ democratic rights and welfare, describes the present Tuition and Other Fees Increase (TOFI) as redundant, exorbitant, and dubious. Despite topping the biggest net income in the Philippines, more than 300 HEIs (Higher Education Institutions) inflated their tuition fees to heavier amounts. NUSP Secre-
tary General Isabelle Baguisi further explains, “In a time when most Filipinos are hardup, it is indecent that schools’ net profits continue to increase yearly and yet these schools still continue to increase tuition rates and add miscellaneous fees to their charges.” The Aquino Administration applied its chronic budget cut in the education sector, abandoning the State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) to propel its academic and nonacademic functions by TOFI. The 87.74% state subsidy is chopped to 63.31%. Accord-
ing to Simon Kuznets, a Nobel Prize awardee on Economics, the aim to flourish the economy shall remain sluggish without education. NUSP states, “Facing the threat of education being reduced to a mere commodity for the privileged, the youth can no longer afford to stay silent and unconcerned.” To prevent such redundant, exorbitant, and dubious fees, Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) released guidelines for a consultation of faculties and students in matters apposite to TOFI im-
Ian Harvey A. Claros
positions. As to Rep. Raymond Palatino of Kabataan Party-list, this resolution comes late since schools have already increased their fees prior the issuance of guidelines. For Vencer Crisostomo of Anakbayan Party-list, it [TOFI] is due to the Palace’s ‘Noynoying’ that TOFI remains to be unregulated. The rampant TOFI is chronic, pushing the parents to extreme desperation, he further explains. He even cited a report about a mechanic who committed suicide due to TOFI.
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Enrollment rate drops PNU freshmen enrollees dropped to 27 sections giving 1,124 new students. According to Dr. Bettina Philomena Sedilla of the Admissions Office, the number of freshmen this A.Y 20122013 remains strong despite of having 27 sections. The A.Y 2010-2011 admitted 1,235 students and A.Y 20112012 welcomed 1,247 students
leaving approximately 120 students disparity to the present number of enrollees. In a separate interview, Michael Esposo as the head of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) PNU found this alarming for PNU usually allows 30 to 32 sections annually. The Admissions Office explained they just followed the
Board of Regents (BOR) memorandum that states to limit only 45 students per section along with the standard qualifications for accepting batch 2012-2013. Dr. Sedilla also stated subsidization considering PNU’s low tuition fee which is unlike the tuition in TUP (Technological University of the Philippines). On one hand, Esposo highlighted that for two to
three years State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) have utilized Tuition and Other Fees Increase (TOFI) or limited number of enrollees as a solution to insufficient funds. The ACT head furthermore informed that the tuition and miscellaneous fees of freshmen at PNU-Manila cost P1965 while other PNU campuses have yet to increase their tuitions. Joan Christi D. Sevilla
PNU Freshies Stereotypes FEATURE p. 8
Ang Kwento ng Pakikipagsapalaran ng mga Libro sa Aklatan p. 10