Maza appeals to PUP BOR to junk proposed 2,000% tuition hike

Makabayan-Nacionalista senatorial candidate Liza Maza called on the Polytechnic University of the Philippines Board of Regents to junk the proposal to increase the students' tuition by almost 2000%, in a press conference sponsored by Kabataan Party-list on Tuesday.

"PUP is a State-run and -subsidized institution, established to ensure that everyone most especially the poor and marginalized have access to education. The proposal to increase the tuition is tantamount to the denial of the students' right to education," Maza said.

The proposed tuition hike will affect 50,000 new enrollees next school year. The Board of Regents is expected to discuss the said proposal in a meeting on March 29.

"I appeal to the PUP Board of Regents - as the voice of students inside the University - to not allow this to happen, and recognize the students' right to accessible education.

Maza also expressed full support to the nationwide protests against the tuition hike.

Maza, a former teacher, said that the move is parallel to the reduction of state subsidy for the University, from its 2009 budget at P704 million to P661 million in 2010.

"Under the Arroyo administration, access to education is fast becoming restricted to the privileged," Maza said. ###