STUDENTS of the Holy Angel University in Pampanga asked the school to allow the use of promissory notes in the second semester of Academic Year 2020-2021.

The students lamented that the university did not inform them that it will stop accepting promissory notes.

“The order was not even announced publicly in social media and was just only shared by a concerned college student that it is already posted in one of the university’s bulletin boards,” Patricia Salunga, The Lifeline managing editor, said.

In a Facebook post on January 3, Denisse Macalino posted a photo of an advisory from the university, disallowing students and parents from using promissory notes.

“This is to inform you that there will be no promissory note for back accounts for 2nd semester enrollment. However, HAU allows the minimum entrance fee payment of P500 if you will settle the full back accounts,” the advisory read.

The Angelite, a university-wide student publication, reported that some parents appealed for leniency but their attempts to use promissory notes were rejected.

“Please po sana naman mapagbigyan kami sa promissory note, malaki pa ang balance ng anak ko baka hindi siya makapag-enroll. Nawalan ng trabaho ang tatay niya, masakit pa pumunta kami sa HAU para kumuha ng statement of account para makasama sa scholarship ang anak ko,” a certain Regina said.

“Ang masakit ipinahiya ako sa accounting department, nag-iiyak ako kulang na lang lumuhod para mapagbigyan pero pinatayan ako ng cellphone at hindi pinansin ng isang staff kahit nagmakaawa ako,” she added.

Students asked the school to be transparent and disclose the breakdown of tuition fees. They said that the P3,000 laboratory fee was unnecessary.

“We call on the administration of the Holy Angel University to heed the appeal letter made by the University Student Council and the collective call of the students regarding laboratory fees, promissory notes, and enrollment dates through a petition,” the School of Nursing and Allied Medical Sciences Student Council said in a statement.

“We believe that the university should always uphold its core values, mission and vision in providing quality but accessible education. We call for compassion — no students indeed should be left behind,” it added.

The POST tried to reach HAU administration for its reaction through phone calls and email, but it has not responded yet as of posting time.