Conflicting statements have emerged between the University Student Government (USG) and De La Salle University – Dasmariñas (DLSU-D) administrators regarding the outcome of Tuition and Other Fees Increase (TOFI) consultations, particularly on whether discussions resulted in a commitment to keep students’ total aggregate fees from increasing.

The disagreement comes as the University awaits the Commission on Higher Education (CHED)’s decision on its proposed tuition increase for the upcoming academic year (AY).

Administration’s justification

In an exclusive interview with The HERALDO FILIPINO, DLSU-D Provost Dr. Christian George Francisco said that in filing the application for the increase, the administration opted to retain institutional miscellaneous and “other fees” at their current rates instead of reducing them.

“In terms of decreases, alumni [POLCA] will have, waive its collection for the freshmen, then the USG [fee] will also be decreased. For other fees, wala. We remain… retain the cost,” he said.

Francisco clarified that the implementation of the Tuition and Other Fees Increase (TOFI) remains on hold pending CHED’s official response. 

“If CHED says, ‘You may have your increase,’ we will implement it. If CHED says, ‘No [increase],’ no increase. So, it is basically dependent on CHED’s evaluation of our application,” he said.

He also noted that if approval for the tuition increase is granted after classes begin, the University may apply tuition adjustments during the academic year (AY), following practices adopted by other regional higher education institutions.

Francisco shared that the decision to apply for a 2.2-percent tuition hike was driven by institutional demands, including international accreditations, marketing initiatives, campus infrastructure upgrades, and overdue faculty compensation.

He explained that employee and faculty salaries have remained stagnant since 2024, framing the proposed tuition adjustment as a necessity for personnel retention. 

“Faculty members are sent to training programs [and] conferences where they are expected to gain new knowledge, new insights, upskilling… Second would be salary increases, because… if I’m not mistaken, the salaries of the employees have not increased… considering the inflation rate,” Fransisco said.

Consultation dispute

The USG, however, disputes the administration’s claim, maintaining that an agreement reached during TOFI Multi-Sectoral Committee consultations prevents an increase in the total aggregate amount of Tuition and Other School Fees (TOSF) by offsetting any tuition adjustment with corresponding reductions in institutional fees.

According to 7th Congress USG President Erin Jozel Madlangbayan, survey results and student consultation with feedback were presented during the discussions, noting that University sectors were receptive to proposals aimed at preventing any increase in students’ overall expenses.

“On the conversations of keeping the total aggregate fees as is for the students, they were open about it and they accept eh…because we were able to present [evidence],” Madlangbayan said.

Meanwhile, 7th Congress USG Vice President Philip Zymon Linezo argued that moving away from the arrangement would contradict what had been agreed upon during the consultations. 

“Kung babaguhin ang napagkasunduan, this would be clear disregard to the sentiment of the student body that an increase to the tuition fee without a decrease in the other fees is not justifiable,” he said.

Despite opposing the proposed increase, the USG clarified that it does not oppose wage increases for University employees, noting that these salary adjustments should be absorbed by trimming internal institutional fees and cutting redundant miscellaneous charges rather than increasing the total financial burden on students.

“The USG does not stand against what would be the initial approval of the increase of the tuition fee. Hindi tayo tutol sa pagtataas ng sahod ng mga manggagawa natin sa Unibersidad,” Linezo added. “Ang anumang pagtaas sa tuition fee ay direktang pagbaba sa other fees. Malinaw ‘yan at kailangan nila iyang sundin.”

To help achieve this balance, the USG reduced ₱100 from its own student operational fee to lessen the financial impact on students.

The USG also argued that while the Provost cited this ₱100 reduction and a waived alumni fee as proof of declining costs, those decisions were made independently by their respective offices.

CHED’s ruling keeps proposal in limbo

Madlangbayan said that the USG was informed during its latest communication with the Provost that CHED may have already disapproved the proposed tuition increase, although University stakeholders have yet to receive an official memorandum. She added that regardless of CHED’s decision, the USG maintains its commitment to keeping the total aggregate fees unchanged.

“Regardless of what the CHED would be deciding on naman, we would be ensuring na ma-align natin kung ano man ‘yung mao-offset natin para ‘yung students, at the end of the day, hindi sila maapektuhan nu’ng mangyayaring increase,” she said.

Francisco, however, affirmed that the University has yet to receive a final ruling and will implement whatever decision CHED issues regarding the proposed increase.

“That’s why we submitted to CHED—CHED will evaluate…, ‘Oh, these are the minutes of the meetings you submitted to us, na ‘di naman pumayag ‘yung bata, or ‘yung student council, so we’re disapproving it.’ So ‘pag sinabi ni CHED na may merit naman ‘yung increase ninyo, or proposal ninyo, because of the inflation, therefore, we will approve it. So, it is CHED’s decision, not ours,” he reiterated.

Francisco stressed that the announcements made by the USG claiming there would be no tuition hike for the coming AY reflected the council’s position rather than a final decision by the University or CHED.

In a separate statement, Linezo criticized what he described as an overreliance on CHED’s decision-making process, arguing that the University remains responsible for honoring commitments made during the consultations.

“Lagi na lang CHED this, CHED that. Laging ipinapasa ang pananagutan. Sila ang may panukala niyan, sila ang kumausap sa mga estudyante, at sila rin ang nararapat sumagot kung ano ang susunod nilang hakbang para simulan na ang tunay na pagbabawas ng other fees,” he said.

He warned that failure to follow through on what student leaders view as the committee’s agreement could further erode trust between the administration and the student body.

“Kung patuloy na lilihis ang Unibersidad sa nasabing kasunduan, patuloy na mababawasan ang tiwala ng komunidad sa kanila. These total aggregates should not increase, as agreed,” Linezo concluded.

As of press time, CHED has yet to release its decision on the University’s TOFI application.

Originally published in Heraldo Filipino Volume 40, Issue 2