A YOUTH-ORIENTED lawmaker is calling for an immediate moratorium on tuition and other fee increases, warning that additional school costs will further burden Filipino families already grappling with rising prices of basic goods.

Kabataan Party-list Rep. Renee Co appealed to higher education institutions to suspend any planned tuition hikes, stressing that increasing fees runs counter to the goal of providing accessible and quality education.

She argued that such measures would only deepen the financial strain on students and their families amid ongoing economic challenges.

Co’s statement came after Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Chairperson Shirley Agrupis on April 30 urged private higher education institutions to reconsider planned tuition increases for Academic Year 2026–2027, citing global economic pressures linked to the ongoing US-Iran conflict.

However, the Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations (COCOPEA) maintained that tuition and fee increases are necessary to ensure student welfare and sustain institutional development.

Co noted that students in private HEIs have long been calling for a moratorium on tuition hikes, raising concerns over the lack of consultation, transparency, and representation in decision-making processes.

She added that many students feel the impact of higher fees is not reflected in improved facilities or services.

Instead of raising tuition, the lawmaker urged both schools and the government to prioritize additional support for students, emphasizing that financial relief—not higher costs—is key to helping learners stay in school.