There will be no tuition increases in colleges and universities for academic year 2026-2027 amid the energy crisis caused by the war in the Middle East, Commission on Higher Education chairperson Shirley Agrupis said on Tuesday.
At a press conference, Agrupis said the Commission on Higher Education had received many requests for tuition and other fee increases. "We have received a lot of requests (for tuition and other fee increases). But we only have one answer. While we recognize the increasing needs of a higher education institution (HEI), we are appealing that this is not the right time to increase tuition," she said.
President Marcos has issued Executive Order 110, declaring a “state of national energy emergency” and ordering a whole-of-government approach to ease the burden on affected sectors.
Higher education institutions understood the decision, with CHED planning a meeting with them. Harmonization of tuition and fees across state universities and colleges has been completed and presented to the Department of Budget and Management under Republic Act 10931, the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act.
CHED authorized flexible learning, including up to 100 percent online delivery as a temporary measure, subject to institutional capacity. "We really thank our HEI leaders because they really adhered to our call that we leave to their wisdom to determine the readiness and the capacity of the university without sacrificing the expected quality outcome that we want to implement," Agrupis added. The memorandum aims to ensure academic continuity while safeguarding student welfare.
