THE COMMISSION on Higher Education commended the Board of Regents of the Cagayan State University for the timely passage of a resolution appointing Dr. Mariden Cauilan as the duly designated representative to receive funds from the Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education.

Cauilan signed a Memorandum of Agreement between the CSU, CHED and UniFast that paved the way for the release of P157 million for the reimbursement of tuition and miscellaneous fees under the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education.

“Contrary to what some quarters have alleged, CHED has never sought to hold the Free Higher Education reimbursement due to CSU for the School Year 2020-2021,” CHED Chairman Prospero De Vera III said.

“What has stopped the release of around P157 million reimbursement for tuition and other school fees of CSU under the FHE program is the legal question regarding the re-appointment of Dr. Urduja Tejada as CSU president,” he added.

The Office of the Solicitor General filed a quo warranto case questioning the appointment of Tejada before Branch No. 1 of the Manila Regional Trial Court. In light of the case, the UniFAST board requested the CSU board to designate a person who can sign the MoA and receive money on behalf of the university.

“When Dr. Cauilan signed the MoU, the funds were immediately downloaded to CSU to pay the salaries of its contractual and part time faculty/staff and implement its projects. Funds for the 1st semester of academic year 2020-2021 were received by the bank on December 10, 2021 while funds for the 2nd semester of academic year 2020-2021 will immediately be deposited,” De Vera said.