University of the Philippines

OFFICE OF THE STUDENT REGENT

Grievance Consultation on the results of the Socialized Tuition System (STS) Application
3 July 2014
UFS Conference Room Vinzons Hall UP Diliman


MINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS

2.09PM 1
Student Regent (SR) Macuha outlines agenda for todays grievance consultation: 2
3
1) Hearing of grievances 4
2) Discussion re STS 5
3) OSR Initial analyses and critique 6
4) Open forum 7
5) Symbolic action 8
9
2.10PM 10
SR Macuha opens the floor for grievances re STS application results. 11
12
Dr. Umali (faculty member from the College of Science) manifests a concern of a 13
Mathematics major student sent thru email. 14
15
The student was only allowed to enroll in UP by his father, a janitor, after obtaining a DOST 16
scholarship. However, he lost his scholarship because of difficulties to cope with classes 17
due to dengue. He then became a self- supporting student and applied for STFAP which 18
placed him in Bracket C. He applied for STS for the coming school year but got the same 19
result (PD 40 or 40% partial discount). 20
21
Dr. Umali then inquires if STS has means to back-up self- supporting students. 22
23
SR Macuha responds that self- supporting students must indicate special circumstances in 24
the text box provided on the STS online form but their income will be included as additional 25
indicator/entry for assessment. 26
27
Dr. Umali continues that one possible reason why the student was placed in the same 28
bracket is because of the laptop he bought using his savings from previous scholarship. In 29
fact, he cannot travel from Pampanga to attend todays consultation because of financial 30
constraints. 31
32
UPM USC Chair Lorenzo manifests that 1 000 characters in the appeal form is not enough to 33
explain appeals and specific circumstances. He suggests that aside from answering the 34
online form, the student can directly send a letter to the Diliman Committee on Scholarships 35
and Financial Assistance (DCSFA) through the student representative to forward his concern. 36
UPM USC is practicing this protocol. 37
Minutes of the Proceedings Grievance Consultation on the results of the STS Application Page 2

. 38
SR Macuha recognizes facultys support particularly to students under lower socio-economic 39
classes. 40
41
UPM Nursing SC Chair Palomeno manifests difficulties experienced by the college during 42
STS application. Students encountered delay because the Office of the College Secretary 43
(OCS) was not informed that UP mail accounts need to be distributed beforehand. In fact, 44
the college masterlist was not released immediately despite SCs request for speedy 45
distribution of mail accounts. Also, OCS does not know the difference between SAIS and CRS 46
accounts. The student council is not yet done with STS survey however about 20-25% of the 47
student population has not applied yet. On the other hand, most who applied retained their 48
STFAP bracket assignments. 49
50
UPLB USC Councilor Magno shares that he finds the integrity of STS anomalous because it 51
only accounts assets and creates its own definition of household. It does not also account 52
for other significant circumstances that can happen within a year. Case in point, their 53
household consists of three families but it is only their family who shoulders all expenses. 54
Also, it asks for the 2013 income tax but his parent lost job just recently. While appeals are 55
entertained for special cases, he is worried that his bracket assignment will increase 56
because of the vicinity map when in fact, they do not own it. 57
58
Mr. Michael Non (from Sigma Kappa Pi Fraternity) manifests STS problems faced by two 59
members of the fraternity. One lives with a single parent with cancer. Unemployed, they print 60
t-shirts to pay for expenses and medicines. Yet, he still got ND or no discount because of 61
their house. Another member whose student number is 2006 and therefore, presumes that 62
the old bracketing scheme must be applied to him got PD 40 even if they have no income or 63
asset. 64
65
Mr. Non then inquires how a student without income can still get no discount at all. 66
67
SR Macuha responds that brackets may increase, even without income, as long as assets 68
are present. STS measures the capacity of a household to maintain these assets, without 69
considering means and reasons of acquiring them. 70
71
Mr. Amiel Barrera (from STAND UP CAL) manifests that a blockmate was assigned under 72
Bracket D instead of E1/ E2 because of the laptop that was bought out of family savings. 73
Assigned to PD 40 under STS, he faces more difficulties as he needs to enroll 21 major 74
units. He already filed an appeal, although uncertain of the results. 75
76
UPD Engineering SC Department Representative Galvez reports that siblings with same data 77
get different bracket assignments (e.g. three siblings have different bracket assignments). 78
79
UPD BAC Councilor Muramatsu manifests three general concerns from the constituents: (1) 80
questions cannot be contextualized, i.e. cellphones of different price values or kinds are 81
similarly classified; (2) siblings with different bracket assignments; and (3) whether the new 82
income range of ND is not applied to upperclassmen. 83
84
Minutes of the Proceedings Grievance Consultation on the results of the STS Application Page 3

Ms. Anna Velasco (parent of incoming 4
th
year from College of Music) manifests on behalf of 85
parents that UP administration needs to go outside the box and consider the situation of 86
the parents, its effects, and not just act as mere administrators. Human interaction and not 87
just mechanical computation is needed when assessing STS results. There are several 88
discrepancies such as insulting questions (i.e. unknown civil status), increase of brackets 89
even after retirement, concerns about students coming from provinces, and parental 90
supervision when applying for STS, among others. Her sons classmates also share the 91
same sentiments re STS. There must be a petition to stop the implementation of STS, 92
particularly for the upperclassmen. 93
94
SR Macuha responds that STS only includes quantity despite obvious differences. All issues 95
are also raised during previous board meetings and dialogues with the administration. 96
97
UPD CFA SC Councilor Lazaro manifests that a certain freshman who lost his mother was 98
tagged as PD 40 instead of FD or full discount; and therefore, cannot enroll. SC encourages 99
freshmen to enroll despite financial constraints because of the expensive cost of Fine Arts. 100
Second- degree students are not included in STS because administration argues they are 101
not the responsibility of the university. However, most second-degree students pay for 102
their education, pursuing real interests or choice. 103
104
SR Macuha notes that issues presented here are the same as before during STFAP such as 105
wrong bracket assignments, problems re siblings, insulting questions, and others. 106
107
Ms. Charlotte France (from STAND UP) manifests that UP administration treats STS as a 108
discount system. It is, in fact, an added insult because the administration merely gives out 109
discount coupons to applying students after going through an offensive process. Discount 110
systems only proves Php 1,500 as the default bracket, and that such is a de facto tuition 111
hike, compared to before when actual tuition depends on bracket assignment. 112
113
2.43PM 114
The assembly agrees to hear further grievances later after the OSR discussion. 115
116
SR Macuha proceeds with his presentation re STS, Hubad na Katotohanan.
1
117
118
Changes under the new STS need to be identified and discussed on the context of right to 119
accessible quality education, as stated under Article XIV, Section 1 of the Philippine 120
Constitution. The UP Charter of 2008 or RA 9500 further mandates the government to 121
strengthen UP as national university. But such is not felt today. STFAP underwent reforms 122
due to death of Kristel Tejada, among others. Students were divided between reforming and 123
scrapping this policy, but the former prevailed. Bracket assignments are now made simpler. 124
Indicators are reduced to two: income and assets, using MORES. 125
126
Chair Lorenzo adds that it is a constant rule that the highest indicator between the two will 127
be the final bracket. Manila CSFA currently handling 154 appeals from freshmen. 128
129

1
A copy of the presentation is on file at the OSR records. See attachment (Annex A).
Minutes of the Proceedings Grievance Consultation on the results of the STS Application Page 4

SR Macuha continues that income ranges adjusted according to inflation rate, except for E1 130
and E2. Bracket names were replaced from alphanumeric (A, B, C, D, E1, E2) to ND or no 131
discount, PDs or partial discounts 33, 60, 80 or 40, 60, 80 (for other CUs and RUs) and FDs 132
or full discounts with and without stipend. Stipend increased from 2,400Php/month to 133
3,500Php, but may now be in-kind such as meal or dorm allowances. Computers determine 134
bracket assignments, without human interaction, and cannot assess actual situations of 135
students. Processes are decentralized and appeals are through various CSFAs in CUs and 136
RUs already. However, there is no sufficient information dissemination from the 137
administration. 138
139
Recipients of stipends are required to maintain certain grades to continue enjoying benefits. 140
Application is now without documentary evidence or proof. There are also stricter penalties, 141
such as payment of tuition differentials with interest and expulsion. However students take 142
risks such as lying, cheating re STS applications because of injustices and misbracketing 143
problems. Financial services were promised but there is still no improvement. Student 144
assistants pay is still at Php 30/hour, depending on units currently enrolled. There are also 145
frequent delays in pay releases. Students who did not apply for STS get no discount, despite 146
various circumstances, i.e. case of nursing students. 147
148
3.15PM 149
SR Macuha presents the initial analysis and critique of the Office re STS. 150
151
SR Macuha holds that STS maintains the income generation scheme. It is disguised as a 152
way to help students when in fact it unjustly collects money from them, despite the role of 153
the state to make tertiary education accessible and ensure UP as national university. In fact, 154
administration admits they are forced to implement STS because of state abandonment. 155
156
STFAP has been reformed in many ways since its introduction as Iskolar ng Bayan program 157
in 1989: (1) 2007, from numerical (1-9) to alphanumerical (A-E2) bracketing scheme; (2) 158
2011, institutionalization of bracket B certification leading to de facto tuition hike; and (3) at 159
present, 2014, STS. But within surface reforms are essentially same principles which make 160
affordable education only offered to a few. 161
162
Councilor Magno manifests that according to dialogue with OSA, students with student 163
numbers 2006 and below are not affected by the scheme. However this was not the case in 164
other units. Units vary in implementing STS. 165
166
SR Macuha adds that a dialogue with Diliman VCSA clarifies that students can still enroll 167
without applying for STS, although they cannot be given discounts. VCSA no clear answer re 168
implementation for 2006 and below. 169
170
UP education is becoming more inaccessible to poor students. UPB is more expensive than 171
St. Louis University (800Php/unit). UPLB is more expensive than De La Salle Dasmarias. 172
UP Mindanao is second most expensive in Southern Mindanao, next to Ateneo de Davao. UP 173
default bracket more expensive than UST. Support from administration is minimal to zero. 174
UPLB chancellor once banned promissory notes in lieu of meal allowances. Support from 175
Minutes of the Proceedings Grievance Consultation on the results of the STS Application Page 5

the government cannot be relied upon, too, as Roadmap for Public Higher Education Reform 176
or RPHER of CHED wants 50% expenses sharing between government and SUCs by 2015. 177
178
This inaccessibility therefore creates the illusion that most of the student population is rich. 179
To note, headlines from the Philippine Collegian show that 1 in 3 Diliman UPCAT passers 180
not in UP.
2
While it is a challenge to maintain the universitys public character amid 181
financial issues, exposing the true implications of STS is one step towards it. 182
183
3.41PM 184
Open forum commences. 185
186
Mr. Patrick Avance (from UPD Education Society) manifests that he is a self-supporting 187
student. He started his freshman year as bracket E1, became D, and now PD 40 (equivalent 188
to C) under STS. He is hesitant to appeal because of the social media scare which leaves 189
him with only two options: file leave of absence or LOA and save or transfer to affordable 190
schools. 191
192
SR Macuha responds that STS works against working students. 193
194
Mr. Avance adds that parents' income still added in determining discount for self-supporting 195
students. 196
197
KASAMA sa UP Natl Chair Gabral poses the question of who benefits from misbracketing to 198
the assembly. 199
200
Natl Chair Gabral also manifests that STS still an income generation mechanism. Appealing 201
is not a solution. He had a chance to sit during UCSFA meetings which revolves around 202
numbers game (two from administration, one student leader per campus) and is very much 203
subjected upon the benevolence of administration. 204
205
Mr. Gian Siapo (from UP Manila) manifests that UP dependents enjoy certain benefits, 206
including free tuition. However, UP dependents are still required to apply for STS. 207
208
Mr. Siapo inquires if STS affects the privilege of UP dependents. 209
210
Dr. Arao (faculty member from the College of Mass Communication) manifests that UP 211
dependents should have same privilege and these are not covered by STS. Troubles in 212
implementation per campus are experienced firsthand. 213
214
In 2013, President Pascual formed a system-wide committee on admissions. Findings 215
include that STFAP affects admission of students; parents are discouraged because of 216
expensive tuition despite STFAP. The committee published a recommendation including a 217
uniform rate system similar to 12Php/unit of PUP or 300Php/unit of UP before STFAP 218
implementation. But PAEP does not want uniform rate system for E2 beneficiaries; 219
220

2
See full article at philippinecollegian.org/1-in-3-diliman-upcat-passers-not-in-up
Minutes of the Proceedings Grievance Consultation on the results of the STS Application Page 6

Many scholarships before as opposed today treat students as mere clients and STS 221
functions like mall discount cards. He will push for STS discussions during the University 222
Council (UC) meeting on Monday, 7 July, 9AM, Abelardo Hall. Physical presence is needed to 223
pressure faculty members because of urgency; 224
225
It is interesting to note that all student political parties are united against former President 226
Abuevas STFAP unlike today. All were calling to reject STFAP since 1989 and against 227
income generation scheme. Present students must improve previous campaign and take up 228
the challenge as the future of the next generation is in todays hands. 229
230
SR Macuha reiterates full support of faculty in the students struggles against STS. 231
232
Ms. France manifests that the call to junk STS is very clear. She proceeds to read the 233
Manifesto of Unity Against Tuition Increase and State Abandonment of Education and 234
Social Services
3
of STAND UP and urges all students to sign manifesto and form alliance 235
against STS. 236
237
There is a general consensus to adopt manifesto, form an alliance. SR Macuha asks informs 238
the body of the following dates: 239
240
July 16 Alliance planning 241
July 22 System-wide action against STS (along with nationwide action against 242
corruption) 243
July 28 Peoples SONA 244
245
SR Macuha manifests that there is a need to increase numbers. PUP succeeded in deferring 246
tuition fee increase because of collective action. 247
248
Mr. Orly Putong (from Alay Sining) invites the body to attend the multi-sectoral forum on UP 249
situation on July 18. He manifests that the student body must launch massive campaigns at 250
the start of classes. 251
252
Ms. France further adds that the same UC meeting on July 7 will vote for the 2012 Code of 253
Student Conduct (CSC). CSC contains repressive provisions such as breach of peace, one 254
year recruitment ban, insulting resulting to disrespecting, among others. We must put 255
pressure to campaign for the junking of STS and CSC. 256
257
UPD USC Vice Chair JP delas Nieves and Councilor Pola Lamarca, with permission from SR 258
Macuha, presents USCs plan of action re STS. 259
260
Councilor Lamarca informs the audience of UPD USCs plan of action re STS application that 261
is to help during appeals process. They will focus on guiding students when making appeals. 262
263
Vice Chair delas Nieves adds that the League of College Councils (LCC) met with 15 councils 264
present and reached a consensus to continue conducting survey and request documents 265

3
See full text of manifesto at bit.ly/stsmanifesto or attachment (Annex B).
Minutes of the Proceedings Grievance Consultation on the results of the STS Application Page 7

from OSSS for STS data. USC is also set to hold an emergency meeting and to release stand 266
on the issue next week. 267
268
Chair Lorenzo manifests that empirical data already exists to prove junking of STS. 269
Grievances in social media re STS are already widespread compared to other surveys to be 270
conducted. Appeals are only band- aid solutions. He also manifests that UPM USC calls to 271
scrap STS. 272
273
Vice Chair delas Nieves responds that councils must give assistance to appellant-students 274
instead of wrong information. Further questions must be directed to UPD USC. 275
276
UPD USC leaves conference room thereafter. 277
278
Councilor Magno manifests the need to examine the genuine need of the students. He also 279
affirms the existence of empirical data to support the campaign against STS and states that 280
there is no need for another study. UPLB USC also calls for the scrapping of STS. 281
282
Natl Chair Gabral manifests that KASAMA sa UP believes that councils need to take a stand 283
against anti-student policies. Appeals should not be end-all be-all solution to STS. Student 284
leaders need to take immediate action at this point and must not be prevented from taking 285
action while conducting another round of surveys and emergency meetings. KASAMA sa UP 286
has long called for the scrapping STS. 287
288
Natl Chair Gabral asks the body to take note of the following dates: 289
290
July 7 UC meeting, 9AM, Abelardo Hall 291
July 16 Alliance planning, 1PM, UFS Conference Room 292
July 18 Multi-sectoral forum on UP situation (tentative time and venue) 293
July 22 System-wide action against STS (along with nationwide action against 294
corruption) 295
July 28 Peoples SONAs 296
297
Anakbayan Natl Chair Crisostomo congratulates OSR and the UP community for standing 298
against the socialized tuition scam. This scam forms part of Aquino administrations 299
framework to commercialize education. The PUP walk-out against similar STFAP and tuition 300
hike is successful, and must be used as a model for victorious campaigns in UP. 301
302
UP must walk out just like before in 2010 and 2012 and pressure the administration to junk 303
STS. Demonstrations, walk-outs, and strikes must be conducted until STS is scrapped. This 304
fight is not only for UP students and parents, but for education as a whole and the Filipino 305
people. The state of education in UP reflects the state of education in the country as a 306
whole, as the national university. 307
308
SR Macuha adds that UP students can do what Iskolars ng Bayan of PUP did re STFAP 309
proposal and tuition hike. There is general consensus to fight for education and junk STS. 310
311
4.47PM 312
Minutes of the Proceedings Grievance Consultation on the results of the STS Application Page 8

SR Macuha invites the audience to conduct a symbolic action against STS. The body 313
proceeds to Quezon Hall for the symbolic action. 314


Prepared by


OSR Secretariat (Sgd.)

Hubad na Katotohanan:
Diskusyon hinggil sa tunay na mukha
ng Socialized Tuition System ng UP
Inihanda ni:
Neill John G. Macuha
Rehente ng mga Mag-aaral
Unibersidad ng Pilipinas
ANNEX A
Edukasyon bilang
batayang karapatan ng mamamayan
Ayon sa Artikulo XIV, Seksyon 1 ng Konstitusyon ng
Republika ng Pilipinas 1987:

The State shall protect and promote the right of all
citizens to quality education at all levels, and shall take
appropriate steps to make such education accessible
to all.

Edukasyon bilang
batayang karapatan ng mamamayan
Nakasaad din sa Declaration of Policy ng RA 9500, o ang UP Charter
of 2008, ang katulad na probisiyon:

The University of the Philippines is hereby declared as the national
university.

The State shall promote, foster, nurture and protect the right of all
citizens to accessible quality education. Toward this end, it is the
policy of the State to strengthen the University of the Philippines as
the national university.

Subalit ito nga ba
ang kasalukuyang
nagaganap sa UP?
Ano ang STS?
Ang Socialized Tuition System, mas kilala bilang STS, ay
ipinasa ng Board of Regents noong ika-13 Disyembre ng
2013. Ito ang pumalit sa dating Socialized Tuition and
Financial Assistance Program (STFAP) ng unibersidad.
Nilalayon diumano nito na makapagbigay ng pagkakataon sa
mgamag-aaral na di kayang magbayad ng buong halaga ng
matrikula.
Ibig sabihin, makakukuha ng diskwento sa matrikula ang
isang mag-aaral batay sa kita, ari-arian, at iba pang mga mga
pamantayan.
STFAP vs STS
Pinasimple sa STS ang mga batayan sa pagtutukoy ng halaga ng
babayarang matrikula ng mga mag-aaral.
STFAP STS
Nais na bracket ng mag-aaral Deklaradong kita ng pamilya
Deklaradong kita ng pamilya MORES 1SEC
Predicted na kita ng pamilya
Espesyal na mga indicator
STFAP vs STS
Source: UP Visayas OSA
STFAP vs STS
Tataas din sa STS ang tatanggaping stipend ng mga mag-aaral mula
Php2,400/buwan patungong Php3,500/buwan. Ang kaibahan lamang
ng stipend sa kasalukuyang STS, maaari itong ibigay sa ibang mga
porma tulad ng dorm allowance, meal allowance, atbp.
Naka-digitize na rin ang aplikasyon sa STS, maging ang pagtutukoy ng
diskwento sa matrikula. Desentralisado na rin ang pagproproseso sa
mga apila sa STS.
Iba pang mga pagbabago
sa STS mula STFAP
Implementasyon ng iba pang mga hakbang upang sumuporta
sa STS:
Pagtatalaga ng isang system-level na opisiyal sa susuri sa
implementasyon nito
Pagsasanay sa mga kawani ng ibat ibang CU
Pinatinding diseminasyon ng impormasyon
Pag-iisyu ng mas detalyadong pamantayan at hakbang sa tamang
pagpapatupad ng mga reporma at upang tulungan ang mga
patakarang pinapatupad sa kasalukuyan na di apektado ng
pagbabago
Iba pang mga pagbabago
sa STS mula STFAP
Implementasyon ng iba pang mga hakbang upang sumuporta
sa STS:
Pagpapatibay ng mga sistemang paniyak sa pamamagitan ng pag-audit o
beripikasyon sa pagbubukas ng mga impormasyon batay sa random sampling
at pagpapatupad ng mas mabigat na parusa sa maling deklarasyon
Mekanismo para sa regular na pag-aaral, monitoring at pagtatasa
Pagpapaunlad sa mga kaugnay na serbisyong pampinansya e.g. mga
scholarship, need-based grants-in-aid, mas mataas na sahod sa SA, para
tuwangan ang STS
Iba pang mga pag-aayos
sa implementasyon
Anumang kasalukuyang mga patakaran na hindi
apektado ng pagbabago ng STS ay mananatili
Ang sinumang hindi makapagpasa ng aplikasyon sa
STS ay awtomatikong mapapalagay sa No Discount
na matrikula
Mga kritisimo at pagsusuri
Pinanatili ng STS ang katangian ng STFAP bilang isang mekanismo
upang kumalap ng kita ang UP
Dahil ang estado ay patuloy na nabibigong magbigay ng sapat na
badyet para sa UP, pinapatupad ng pamantasan ang mga polisiya gaya
ng STS. Ito ay kinikilala ng UP admin.
Parehong naka-angkla ang STFAP at STS sa argumentong walang sapat
na pondo ang pamantasan, kaya kung sino man ang may kakayahang
magbayad ay siyang dapat pumasan sa mga di kayang magbayad.

Mga kritisimo at pagsusuri
Simula pa lamang, nais na nito magkalap ng
sapat na kita upang punuan ang kakulangan sa
badyet ng pamantasan.


Mga kritisimo at pagsusuri
Kung titingnan naman ang kasaysayan ng ibat-ibang porma ng
socialized tuition, matagumpay nitong pinahirap ang akses ng mga
mag-aaral mula sa mababang katayuang sosyo-ekonomiko sa
edukasyong ibinabandila ng UP.
1989: Unang pagpapatupad mula 40 tungo 300/yunit
2007: Unang reporma sa STFAP 300 tungo 1,000/yunit
2012: Bracket B Certification 1,000 tungo 1,500/yunit sa mga batch 2011
pataas
2014: STS 1,500/yunit para sa lahat ng mag-aaral mula 2007 pataas
Mga piling headline
ng Philippine Collegian
In the fifth year of TFI implementation, tuition loans surge by 380%
(February 2011)

1 in 3 Diliman UPCAT passers not in UP (July 2011)

Number of students applying for tuition loans highest in 21 years
(August 2011)
Mga piling headline
ng Philippine Collegian

1 in every 10 STFAP applicants in UPD appeal for lower bracketing
(November 2011)

2 in 3 UPD students under STFAP also apply for loans (March 2012)

Number of UPD students with free tuition hit 6-year low (October
2012)

Mga kritisimo at pagsusuri
Hindi pinapalawak ng STS ang akses ng mahihirap sa edukasyong
ipinagkakaloob ng pamantasan
Ayon sa pagsusuri ni Prof. Guillermo:
Holding state subsidy as constant, higher revenue is necessary for larger
expenses. In other words, to subsidize more low-income students, you would
have to admit more high-income students and charge them high tuition rates.

This cannot be a sustainable scheme as population statistics reveal that a vast
majority of Filipino families consider themselves poor.

Mga kritisimo at pagsusuri
Alinsunod ang STS sa mga probisyon ng Roadmap to Philippine Higher
Education Reforms o RPHER na naglalayong unti-unting bawasan ang
suportang pinansiyal ng gobyerno sa mga SUCs.
Wala nang ibang paraan upang tunay na maging mas demokratiko ang
akses nito kundi panatilihing accessible ang edukasyon sa UP at mas
abot-kaya ang matrikula.
Manifesto of Unity Against Tuition Increase and State
Abandonment of Education and Social Services
From bit.ly/stsmanifesto

We, students from the University of the Philippines,
believe that education is a right. That the state has the
responsibility of providing and ensuring quality and
accessible education to every Filipino.

We condemn the UP Administration for putting our right
to education in jeopardy by orchestrating a de facto
tuition hike through the Socialized Tuition System (STS).
STS has made UP education more inaccessible to the
majority of the Filipino youth by raising the base tuition
from PhP1,000 to PhP1,500 per unit. The national
average tuition rate is PhP 573.76 per unit and PhP
1,143 for NCR. UP s base tuition is already beyond the
national and regional average. (1) The peoples daily
minimum wage of P466 cannot even hope to pay for UP
tuitions rate, alongside the hikes in basic commodities
and services.

The UP administration is turning a blind eye to the harsh
reality --- tuition loans have reached a 24-year high; 1
out of 3 UPCAT passers are not in UP; and almost 1,218
students who took a loan were not able to pay in time for
the release of grades during the 1st semester of AY
2013-2014. (2) UP has now reneged on its promise of
accessible education and will only worsen the situation
with the STS.

We believe that the well-touted process efficiency of the
STS only serves the interest of the administration. That
the oversimplified forms are actually detrimental to the
students. By checking just the students supposed
assets, instead of contextualizing them against their
liabilities and actual living conditions, the STS puts
almost everyone in the no discount bracket --- to
squeeze out more income from them. The STS cannot
be reformed anymore, and any reform would only serve
to the sophistication of income generation and student
oppression. UP should be problematizing how to make
UP education affordable to every Filipino, and not how to
prove that everyone is a millionaire.

We challenge the UP administration to rescind the
implementation of the socialized tuition scheme,
alongside a number of anti-student policies such as the
forced-loan and enrollment-purging system. UP must
implement a tuition roll back (subject to further studies
on how much), to immediately give relief to our parents
and students from the incessant price hikes of
commodities and services. A tuition roll back would bring
students who stopped, due to financial constraints, back
into studying.

We challenge the UP administration to join us in our fight
for higher budget for education and social services.
Being cash-strapped does not justify pledging allegiance
to the Aquino administrations plan of abandoning and
commercializing state universities and colleges (SUC)
through the Roadmap to Public Higher Education
Reforms (RPHER) program. Transforming public
education and utilities into income generating
enterprises will only be detrimental to our countrys
national development. UP and other SUCs should be
further developed as research universities to support a
comprehensive plan for national industrialization. With
this, the pro-commercialization RPHER program, should
be scrapped.

We are calling for a tuition hike moratorium for all higher
education institutions; an immediate stop to unjust and
exorbitant fees imposed on students and other pro-
commercialization income generating projects. We
demand the re-prioritization of the national budget to
education and basic social services instead of funding
corrupt and ineffective government officials and projects.
We condemn the Aquino administration for having a
neoliberal stance on distribution of public goods and
services. The administrations no-control policy,
alongside the Public-Private Partnership program, seeks
to gradually pull out government support and let the
profiteering sector take over --- at the expense of steep
prices and further inaccessibility of supposedly free and
affordable services.

We, Iskolar ng Bayan, will rise for our right to education
and fuse our struggle with the different sectors of our
society. Our fight for quality and accessible education
will never succeed if not integrated with the everyday
plight of the ordinary people. We will ensure that all
forms of oppression will meet a strong and united
resistance, until the complete victory of the people.


NO TO TUITION INCREASE! JUNK STS!
FIGHT FOR EDUCATION! ROLL BACK THE TUITION!
NO TO COMMERCIALIZATION OF EDUCATION!

(1) Based on the 2014 data from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), as compiled by the National Union of
Students in the Philippines (NUSP)
(2) Data from Office of Scholarships and Student Services (OSSS) and the Philippine Collegian


STUDENT ALLIANCE FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF DEMOCRATIC RIGHTS IN UP (STAND UP)
ANNEX B