JV asks state schools to keep tuition low

CEBU, Philippines - With the increase of budget from P27 billion to P32 billion, state universities and colleges must keep tuition fees affordable to the less fortunate students.

United Nationalist Alliance senatorial aspirant Joseph Victor "JV" Ejercito Estrada said this days after a University of the Philippines student committed suicide after she was advised to take a leave of absence for her failure to pay the tuition.

"It is a very sad story. I have been fighting for higher subsidy for State Universities and Colleges and with the 40 percent increase budget for them, we hope what happened to the UP student who committed suicide would not happen again. We do not want any promising and young student to end his or her life this way," Estrada said in a press conference.

The country has 112 state universities and colleges with over 500 campuses.

Estrada was the commencement speaker during the graduation ceremony of the   University of Cebu's College Department.

He encouraged the graduates not to waste their youth and use their energy, idealism and dynamism in rebuilding the nation.

 Estrada, who was the national chairman of the Kabataan ng Masang Pilipino (KAMPIL), told the graduates that they have better chances of getting higher pay and decent jobs and improve the lives of their families.

"I don't believe in dole-outs but I firmly believed that a good education is the true way out from poverty," said Estrada, who is regarded as the 9th Most Prolific Representative of the 15th Congress.

The incumbent San Juan City congressman recently launched the "Ako YON" or the Ako Youth of the Nation-Cebu, where he encouraged the youth to take a proactive stance on the affairs of the nation.- (FREEMAN)