COMMISSION on Higher Education (CHED) Chairperson Shirley Agrupis on Wednesday stressed that increasing tuition fees in public and private higher education institutions (HEIs) is not timely amid the state of national energy emergency in the Philippines.

The agency made the remark amid the increasing number of requests for a tuition fee hike due to rising operational costs.

“While we recognize the increasing prices and mga kailangan ng isang higher education institution, nakikiusap kami na (and the needs of an HEI, we are pleading) I think this is not the right time to increase tuition fees,” she said in a press conference on Wednesday.

Although they have received notable volume requests, Agrupis said some private HEIs have agreed to pause the proposed hike.

“So, naintindihan naman nila (they understand it), but we are in the process of calling a meeting with higher education institutions,” she added.

For state universities and colleges (SUCs), the proposed harmonization of tuition fees has been presented before the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

“We have already presented to DBM, but that is only the government funding, which is covered by Republic Act 10931, the UNIFAST law,” Agrupis said.

The presentation was made following the result of the SyCip Gorres Velayo & Co. (SGV & Co) study on the Normative Tuition and Other School Fees (TOSF).

The result will be used as a major reference for the proposed policy direction and defense to advance funding revision under the Free Higher Education.

Agrupis, meanwhile, noted that most of the HEIs have not implemented a 100 percent online learning setting despite the energy emergency in the country.

On April 6, the CHED authorized private and public HEIs to roll out a full online setup due to rising fuel and energy costs.

Around 2,000 HEI respondents have demonstrated readiness, alongside a strong internet connectivity presence under the flexible learning mode.

“Konti lang po ang nag-full na (Only a few have transitioned to) 100 percent online. So, we really thank our HEI leaders because they really adhered to our call. We heed to their wisdom to determine their readiness and the capacity of universities without sacrificing the expected quality outcome,” Agrupis said.

The authorization is valid until the end of the academic year 2025 to 2026, including summer classes. (PNA)