As Region V’s inflation rate rises, a 5.9% tuition increase for the academic year 2024 to 2025 has been proposed by the Ateneo de Naga University’s (AdNU) administration on 15 March, 2024 during a consultation at the Instructional Media Center (IMC). This follows the previous academic year’s 7% increase as it transitioned back to face-to-face classes and activities. However, despite the suggested significant hike, only an insignificant amount of students received an invite to the consultation and less even were aware that a tuition and other fees increase (TOFI) consultation was to take place. In view thereof, ThePILLARS Publication collated responses from Ateneans to be informed of their opinions and takes regarding the issue.
On 5.9% increase
If iisipin kasi, [nung] pandemic nag-negative yung budget ng whole Ateneo for the [past] school year[s]. However, as someone rin na nagli-lead for the student body, masyado siyang mabigat for a student nga to cater another increase since for the past year [or] a year ago, nag inrease na rin tayo ng seven percent and masyado siyang mataas na for that year, per unit pa pati. Then, this year ulit, 5.9 per unit ulit so mabigat siya sa estudyante and hindi primarily nakatutulong sa bulsa ng mga magulang, and of course, sa students rin, kasi nasa part ng parents and students yung burden na mag bayad ng tuition fee.
Lahat naman tayo nag a-adjust pa sa post-pandemic [era] and though I understand rin na need ng Ateneo nga na mag taas [ng fees] for ilang percent, I think 5.9 is too much knowing na per unit pa siya. […] Hindi siya student-friendly na bayarin and once kasi na nag-inrease ka ng tuition, dapat mafeel ng student or kahit personnel, and I am talking about non-teaching staff, ang ginhawa brought by that increase.
Zharina Bianca A. Asuncion, AdNU-SSG President
Considering the current state of the country's inflation rate, parents and students should be provided with a transparency report outlining how the 5.9 percent increase will be spent, especially because 5.9 percent is a significant and high increase. […] As major stakeholders of the institution, we deserve to know and understand where our money will go because not all are privileged enough to adjust immediately to sudden financial increases. As students value studying in a school as prestigious as Ateneo, we are willing to make compromises to ensure quality education; however, we should be guaranteed that as students, our needs are being heard and addressed as well.
Concurrently, in order to support scholars/students who are struggling to pay for their education, financial aid and scholarship grants have to be strengthened and increased as well. […] Furthermore, since there isn't a comprehensive report outlining how the increase will be implemented, I am expecting that the school will address the issues with ventilation, internet, and other important areas. However, since salaries will allegedly be the primary recipient of the increase, all employees should be as productive as the rest.
Leticia Julia S. Bance, 1- BSED- English | STEP
My personal take on the proposed 5.9 increase in tuition fee is that it’s high for some students that are financially struggling, considering that we are also experiencing challenges in our country’s economy.
Ellen Rose S. Casungcad, 1-AB Political Science | ACHSS
I think the 5.9 percent increase that has been suggested is rather big and could be an issue, especially for students like myself who depend on scholarships. Even if the scholarship might pay for the tuition, the extra costs might be costly.
Kristel Mae Guiriba, 2-BS Psychology | ACHSS
I was aware of the increase, but I did not know it was 5.9%. [I think] it is an "okay" increase for me, but for those students who [have] a 60k tuition fee, it is quite big.
Bjorn Laurence R. Abad, 2- BS BA Management | ABBS
I think there is [a] specific reason behind the proposed 5.9 percent increase in the tuition fee, one example is the inflation that is happening now. However, I think there [are] other ways or options for the school aside from putting the burden on the students, especially that the school is not the only one affected by the inflation right now but also the students and their families. This also has a large effect on my college because we are one of the colleges with [a] high tuition fee.
Alexis Mae Puerta, 2 - BS Architecture | AXI
It is just right to increase kasi po para mabigyan ng sweldo ang mga teachers natin and the employers who are working hard [in] this institution.
My [take] regarding the proposed 5.9 percent increase [is that it] must be distributed [to] electricity fees [and other] necessities of the school. Increase ang tuition [fee], increase man ang sweldo ng teachers and faculty workers. I know we have our rights para dae mag-agree sa tuition increase pero wala naman tayo magagawa dyan dahil mas nagdadami ang population ng Adnu students [kaya] kailangan talaga ng increase.
Lian-Rhoel Espiritu ,3-AB Religious and Values Education | STEP
I am not aware of the reasons behind the increment of the tuition and other fees; however, if this shall be implemented, then more opportunities such as scholarships and financial assistance should be offered to students. With the current tuition fees, not all AdNU students are privileged enough to afford them. What more damage could it bring to them if it increases? Other than that, there are also courses where books are required to be bought, which may cost thousands of pesos. So, in all honesty, I think this should be reconsidered.
Francesca Denyce Seechung, 2-BS Nursing | ANSA
My take regarding sa 5.9 percent increase siguro multiple stakeholders kaya ang yaun igdi, so yaun diyan si students na surely affected sinda ‘ta not all students of Ateneo [live] comfortably na kayang magbayad and ang iba working students. Good for the scholars pero ang ibang scholars din nga dae sinda full scholar so bale need parin ninda magbayad partially so yan. Based sa memo na binasa ko, if I understood it correctly, as long as nagcocomply ata sinda duman sa memorandum I think mayong problema in the eye of the law.
Regarding doon sa other fees such as the sports fee, internet fee, medyo ano dun- di ko alam kung anong priorities talaga ang dapat unahin. Siguro lalabas sana yun sa consultation kaso hindi man nga properly represented lahat. […] And yung internet fees medyo may issues rin diyan na kasi hindi ko alam kung naaaccess ng lahat.
Anonymous, 3-BS Information Technology | COCS
On information dissemination
Knowing kasi na TOFI siya it should be the topic of the town kasi nga it involves increase sa babayaran of the whole student body and hindi naman, for example, SSG invited, hindi naman ang SSG ang babayad niyan diba? It involves the whole student body. Second, yung sa venue, yung IMC, masyado siyang close na hindi siya accessible for all, that information. We believe as SSG na dapat accessible siya for all para maka-comment ang lahat ng estudyante. For example, suggestion lang sana for the next [consultation]—for example, sa xavier hall, para kasing dapat maging town hall meeting siya.
Very misleading rin yung email kasi wala dun “TOFI” [or] Tuition [and Other] Fee[s] Increase, proposed budget [siya], so if proposed budget siya, [will] it increase ba or mabawas? Pero duman sa meeting mismo, naka flash sa screen tuition fee increase, so the students, dae sinda aware na for TOFI palan ‘to kasi ang inot na tig relay is for budget proposal, ganon. And siguro kung TOFI ‘to, mas maaadalan kang estudyante, may ample time [sila] to study about that proposal.
Zharina Bianca A. Asuncion, AdNU-SSG President
If the increase is indeed necessary, the school must adequately inform all relevant parties and provide sufficient preparation and adjustments to parents and students—particularly those scholars who are truly struggling to meet their educational expenses especially since the new academic year is fast approaching and NOT ALL PARENTS AND STUDENTS ARE INFORMED PROPERLY.
I believe that everyone should be involved and not just the student representatives. The TOFI is a very important matter that should be addressed to every student, parent, and other benefactors. The Treasurer's Office lacked enough inclusivity on this particular matter. Everyone should be provided a complete and transparent report about the TOFI and the significant 5.9 increase. A separate consultation and information dissemination with the whole student body and parents should take place as well.
Leticia Julia S. Bance, 1-BSED-English | STEP
I was not aware of the said consultation last March 15, 2024, and I only learned about it right after the event through social media posts. There were no invites sent in emails and any other platforms.
The problem lies on how the Treasurer’s Office disseminated the invitation. If only they [had] put an extra effort in sending invites, more students [would have been] involved in the decision-making process. Plus, it [would have] allow[ed] the students to be socially empowered. Also, as an institution that openly advocates for democracy, it would only be right to practice democracy and people’s participation in a proper and effective way.
Ellen Rose S. Casungcad, 1-AB Political Science | ACHSS
I think there should have been changes made to the way information was shared and how representatives from various sectors or students were invited to the consultation. To guarantee thorough outreach, it would have been advantageous for the Treasurer's Office to use a multi-channel strategy that included actual hand-delivered letters. Furthermore, having a more informed deliberation would have been enabled by giving clear reasons for the suggested increase.
Kristel Mae Guiriba, 2-BS Psychology | ACHSS
I did see the increase in my matriculation form. I cannot remember if I did receive an email regarding this concern.
I think they are doing good but not great. They should use different channels to inform students and also parents with this kind of information.
Bjorn Laurence R. Abad, 2- BS BA Management | ABBS
Actually, I received [a] notification from [the] Facebook page of Adnu that there will be a consultation of tuition fees.
Lian-Rhoel Espiritu ,3-AB Religious and Values Education | STEP
Not everyone was informed, including me, [regarding] the increase.
Alexis Mae Puerta, 2 - BS Architecture | AXI
I was aware about the consultation, but I did not receive an invitation. I have no comments about this because I was not aware that there was an invitation.
Francesca Denyce Seechung, 2-BS Nursing | ANSA
Dae ako naka-receive email or invitation [and] dae ko man nahiling si Facebook post. Siguro naaraman ko lang na may consultation on the day [itself], March 15. May nahiling akong Facebook post na garo nagaattendance na and nagdidiscuss na, garo Happening Now if I remember that correctly.
I think better information dissemination sana, not only better information dissemination, pero more kung ang concern ‘ta is ang sarong stakeholder is [the] student [body] dapat medyo direct sa pag consult sa students. […] Siguro better consultation kasi pag ganun lang i think hindi masyado maririnig lahat ng mga sentiments ng kada student.
Also, siguro meron din tayong job as students to be aware regarding sa news ng Ateneo and Ateneo should do a better job, If consultation, ang goal is to consult talaga.
Anonymous, 3-BS Information Technology | COCS
person ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Jerome Paul Hallig
Research & Development Director
Hi! I'm Jerome, and I currently serve as the Interim Research and Development Director of ThePILLARS Publication. I hope you like the way I write it— No diggity!
James Philippe Paris
Research Writer
For a freer campus press!
Ykia Loriss Mariano
Research Writer
Hi I am Ykia! I love to write informative news that will change lives.
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