By: Jetaime Kaina Cerbito
Rev. Fr. Bejay P. Namuag O.P., and Prof. Danilo K. Villena reviewing LSC’s report on the results of their TOFI Survey Photo by: Julia Iris Eguillano/The LANCE
In light of the proposed Tuition and Other Fees Increase (TOFI), the Letran Financial Affairs Division (LFAD) led the Tuition Fee Adjustment Consultation, along with department heads and representatives at the Balagtas Hall on Jan. 30.
The Letran Student Council (LSC) and The LANCE were in attendance, with key personnel from the Letran Administration, Vice President for Financial Affairs (VPFA) Rev. Fr. Bejay P. Namuag O.P., Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA) Prof. Danilo K. Villena, Comptroller Asst. Prof. Ariel D. Delas Alas, department heads, and representatives from faculty and non-teaching personnel.
Under the Commission on Higher Education’s (CHED) Memorandum Order No. 3 Series of 2012, Article III Section 5 states “All HEls, public or private, intending to increase their tuition and other school fees for the ensuing Academic Year (AY) shall conduct consultations, as hereinafter defined and provided, with their student councils/governments, and their faculty, alumni and/or non-teaching personnel associations,”
The CHED Memorandum considers factors such as the regional inflation rate, the institution's financial status, the students' financial ability, the effects of force majeure or disasters, the
school's quality record, and its mission and vision, in deciding on the reasonableness of TOFI for Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs).
Other legal bases for the proposed TOFI include Republic Act 7722 which states the legal authority of CHED to regulate and supervise HEIs’ tuition, and Republic Act 6728, which mandates that for every tuition increase, HEIs must allocate 70% for personnel salaries and benefits, 20% for facility improvements and operational costs, and 10% for return on investment if the institution is a stock corporation, while the remainder goes toward the institution’s operations.
The consultation, as part of the HEI’s requirements in application of TOFI, discussed the reasons and justifications for the increase and deliberated the final proposed percentage from 5% to 8%.
During the dialogue, Comptroller Asst. Prof. Delas Alas explained the proposed increase is needed for employee evaluations and promotions, maintain competitive salaries and benefits, comply with regulations like Social Security Services’ (SSS) adjusted contributions, and the last increase being in SY 2023-2024.
He also stressed the financial standing of the school, which is part of CHED’s Memorandum regarding reasonableness of charges, increases, and impositions, with its Return of Investment and Return of Total Assets ‘negative to modest,’ and “just enough cash flow to pay for operations.”
Additionally, Delas Alas stated inflation rates which rose consistently from year 2021 to 2025, in contrast to tuition rate increases, which were only implemented in SY 2023-2024 with 10% and soon AY 2025-2026 with proposed 8%.
Meanwhile, the LSC raised student concerns based on the results of their TOFI Survey, which garnered 691 responses.
In the survey, 93.2% or 644 student respondents answered they do not agree with the proposed TOFI, and 90.3% or 624 agree that the increase is not justified given the current economic situation.
LSC President Kodi Cabacang announced the Council’s stance during the meeting, citing complete opposition to the tuition fee increase.
While she agreed that the professors deserve a raise in salary, she also emphasized the disapproval of students with the proposed TOFI.
“As Council, we’re also considering the perspective of the student body. Hindi po namin gustong balewalain ‘yong 693 students na sumagot po sa ating survey and we’re not here as a Student Council alone, but as representatives of the student body,” Cabacang shared.
“We are completely against TOFI, because that is the stand of the Student Council, and the stand of the student body,” she added.
However, Delas Alas clarified that the consultation is only part of the process, and the decision for the proposal is not up to the students or the administration, but from CHED itself, deciding with other department heads to finalize the proposed percentage of TOFI to 8%, to be submitted as an application to CHED.
“We will be presenting eight percent as the desire of the administration, take into note that the student body of collegiate don’t agree with the increase— tuition fee increase,” Delas Alas affirmed.
According to the calendar of events presented during the dialogue, the administration is set to submit its requirements for TOFI application to CHED on Mar. 31.