Cayetano Backs Tuition Freeze, Urges Universities to Protect Filipino Students Amid Rising Costs

**** by: Edjun Mariposque

****

May 3, 2026

3–4 minutes

Senator Pia S. Cayetano has thrown her full support behind the call of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) urging higher education institutions (HEIs) to defer planned tuition fee increases, stressing the need to shield Filipino families already burdened by soaring living expenses.

“I fully support CHED’s call for universities to hold off on tuition increases. Many families are already struggling with rising costs across the board. We must ensure that education remains accessible, especially during these challenging times,” Cayetano said.

Serving as Senior Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance and having overseen the education budget for six years, Cayetano emphasized that accessible education remains a critical pathway to breaking the cycle of poverty and ensuring intergenerational equity.

The senator highlighted ongoing government efforts to strengthen support for higher education through initiatives such as the Tertiary Education Subsidy and increased funding for State Universities and Colleges. She also underscored the vital role of private institutions in maintaining affordability for Filipino students.
Cayetano called for stronger collaboration between the government and private sector to ease the financial burden on students, particularly during a period marked by economic challenges.

She also commended CHED for engaging in dialogue with HEIs to balance institutional operational needs with the financial capacity of students and their families. “It’s important that we balance the operational needs of institutions with the capacity of families to afford education,” she added.

The lawmaker further urged universities to explore alternative solutions to operational challenges without passing additional costs onto students. Reaffirming her stance, Cayetano stressed that investing in education is ultimately an investment in the country’s future.

“Education is the great equalizer. We cannot allow it to become a privilege that only the wealthy can afford,” she concluded.

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