SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian has called on the Commission on Higher Education to strictly enforce regulations on tuition and other fee increases in private higher education institutions.

He emphasized that before approving any hikes, CHED must ensure that private HEIs have thoroughly consulted students, faculty, and non-teaching staff.

Gatchalian also stressed the importance of implementing CHED Memorandum Order No. 003 s. 2012, which mandates that 70% of tuition hike proceeds must be allocated for salary increases of teaching and non-teaching personnel.

According to him, this rule must be enforced to guarantee that tuition increases directly benefit those who provide educational services.

Beyond regulating tuition hikes, the senator highlighted the need to support students from low-income families.

He noted that during the 2025 national budget deliberations, he introduced amendments to CHED’s budget to prioritize these students as beneficiaries of the Tertiary Education Subsidy.

Ensuring continued financial aid, he said, is critical in preventing students from dropping out due to financial constraints.

Gatchalian reiterated that education should remain accessible to all, particularly to those struggling with the rising costs of living.

He pointed out that while private HEIs may need to adjust tuition for operational costs, it is equally important to safeguard students from excessive financial burdens.

The senator urged CHED to conduct strict oversight and ensure transparency in tuition increases.

He also called for greater accountability from private HEIs, requiring them to justify the necessity of tuition hikes and demonstrate compliance with the mandated allocation for personnel salaries.

As higher education costs continue to rise, Gatchalian reaffirmed his commitment to making quality education affordable and accessible to all.

He vowed to push for stronger policies that protect students while ensuring that educators and school staff receive fair compensation.