CAMARINES Sur 2nd District Representative Luis Raymund Villafuerte Jr. filed a measure that will mandate private and public educational institutions to hold consultations before increasing miscellaneous fees, other fees and paid services.

In pushing House Bill 8756 or the proposed Miscellaneous and Other Fees Consultation Act, Villafuerte said that under the Education Act of 1982, private learning institutions are free to determine their tuition and miscellaneous fees.

However, tuition in colleges are subject to consultations with student councils/governments, faculty, alumni, and non-teaching personnel association.

Unfortunately, such consultations have become mere formalities because in reality, the process only involves the presentation of the planned increases and nothing more.

“Students have the right to know and be consulted on what they are paying for,” Villafuerte said.