Council lauds Go for UC tuition freeze

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Council, through a resolution authored by Councilor Pancrasio Esparis and endorsed by the Committee on Peace and Order chaired by Councilor Pablo Labra II, has commended University of Cebu (UC) chairman Augusto Go for this withdrawal of a petition for a tuition increase.

The resolution stresses that “the survival of this nation rests on the empathy we show towards our fellow human beings,” framing Go’s decision as a civic act of compassion during the ongoing energy crisis.

Vice Mayor Tomas Osmeña, in a separate resolution recognized Go as a defender of the marginalized. He highlighted UC’s policy that students will not face tuition increases for as long as they maintain good grades, a commitment that extends until the end of their academic term.

Osmeña said this policy reflects Go’s enduring belief that education must remain accessible, especially for families struggling to make ends meet.

Go himself was unequivocal in his message: “I have always believed that education is life’s greatest equalizer. Students need education and I’m not going to deny them that part.”

 He explained that keeping tuition steady would not only help students complete their degrees but also sustain enrollment growth.

“If you raise your tuition fee while people are struggling, enrollment will drop. But if you maintain or lower tuition, more students can enroll. We will work by the volume,” he said.

The announcement has been welcomed by education advocates and student groups, who called it a “relief” amid rising costs of living.

UCMed and St. Vincent General Hospital, both owned by Go, also announced a freeze in standard rates for services, laboratory examinations, and medicines.

For many families, Go’s decision means their children can pursue careers in Nursing, Education, Law, and Medicine without additional financial hurdles.