MANILA (Mindanao Examiner / May 22, 2013) – The youth group Anakbayan has strongly criticized Senator-elect Ban Aquino for supporting tuition and other fee increases in universities.
Vencer Crisostomo, national chairperson of Anakbayan, said tuition fee increases remain a perennial problem confronting Filipino youths and students.
”Barely two months ago, a student of the University of the Philippines committed suicide because her parents couldn’t afford the tuition in such a public school. Now we have this Aquino telling us that tuition hikes are inevitable,” he said in a statement sent to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner.
“Naging Senador pa siya kung wala naman pala siyang silbi. Bakit pa tayo may Commission on Higher Education, bakit pa tayo may gobyerno kung wala naman pala silang magagawa para sa ating interest?” he asked.
The Commission on Higher Education has earlier announced the approval of tuition hikes in 343 colleges and universities across the country.
Crisostomo said with the majority of families’ earnings insufficient and the prices of basic goods and services continuing to rise, there is no such thing as a justified tuition fee increase.
“True to the tradition of members of Aquinos entering the government with zero qualifications, even less competence, and only their surname to their credit, Bam Aquino has shown his complete and total ignorance on the plight of Filipino youths and students,” he said.
Aquino served as chairman of the National Youth Commission under President Gloria Arroyo. (Mindanao Examiner)
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