A COLLEGE student in Metro Manila needs almost P10,000 a month to live decently, a consumer group said.

The Samahan at Ugnayan ng mga Konsyumer para sa Ikauunlad ng Bayan said that a student needs P9,900 to defray monthly expenses.

This is higher than the P7,000 monthly budget needed by a student pre-pandemic.

The amount is for those studying in state universities or public colleges, said Louie Montemar, SUKI convener.

The budget is for transportation, food and accommodation.

“Sa pag-eestima ng aking mga estudyante, kailangan na nila ng P9,900 mula P7,000 bago ang pandemya,” Montemar said.

“So, malinaw po na kahit sa buhay ng mga estudyante, kitang-kita po ang kahirapan,” he added.