More colleges, universities raise tuition

MANILA, Philippines –  A total of 324 colleges and universities have raised their tuition for school year 2011-2012.

Data from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) showed the average tuition hike was 14.37 percent, up from the 10 percent posted last April.

The latest tally showed CHED had approved the tuition hike application of 39 higher educational institutions (HEIs) in Central Luzon and 41 in Calabarzon.

In Central Luzon, the average percentage of tuition hike is 13.29 percent, equivalent to P50.44 per unit, and Calabarzon 11.45 percent, equivalent to P66.79 per unit.

Central Luzon and Calabarzon are the second and third     regions with the highest number of HEIs that hiked their tuition.

Metro Manila remained on top of the list with 69 HEIs hiking tuition with an average increase of 7.38 percent.

In peso terms, Metro Manila HEIs imposed the highest hike in tuition at P72.77 per unit.

Police on alert nationwide

Police nationwide were placed on alert Monday to guard the 25 million students expected to return to school on June 6.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Raul Bacalzo said police personnel and resources will be ready for security and public safety operations for the opening of classes next week.

“The PNP will implement a nationwide security and public safety plan for the opening of the school year next week,” he said.

The 16,000-strong National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) will deploy foot and mobile patrols in strategic points near schools, he added.

Metro Manila police commander Chief Superintendent Alan Purisima aims for a zero crime incidence in school and university areas.

He had also fielded the Motorized Anti-Street Crime Operatives to complement foot and mobile patrols and local police units in the vicinity of schools.

Bacalzo has mobilized police regional offices and national support units to implement the nationwide security and public safety plan.

Of priority concern to police are street crimes like pickpocketing, snatching, swindling, robbery/hold-up, and drug trafficking.

Police patrols in the vicinity of schools will also be on the look out for drug traffickers and street gangs that may infiltrate the ranks of students.

Police were instructed to coordinate with school administrators and officials of the Department of Education (DepEd) and CHED to ensure the safety and security of students.

The NCRPO will spearhead traffic management operations in the vicinity of schools, particularly in the University Belt in Manila.

Similar security measures will be implemented in seaports, airports, and land transport terminals in anticipation of the heavy volume of incoming passengers from the provinces.

Bacalzo gave police regional directors the discretionary authority to raise the alert status as they deem necessary to effectively implement their security and public safety plans.

2,488 new classrooms built

A total of 2,488 new classrooms nationwide were built by the Department of Public Works and Highways for the school opening on June 6.

Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson said they completed construction of 448 classrooms between January and April this year.

The 2,040 completed classrooms were carried over from 2009 and 2010, he added.

Singson said the DepEd needed 150,000 classrooms when the school year starts.

“Not all construction of these classrooms have been delegated to us,” he said.

“DepEd just assigned a number and for this period it is only 448 classrooms. Most of these classrooms are implemented by DepEd.”

Singson said the DPWH has also completed road maintenance work for the opening of classes next week.

“In line with the government’s Oplan Balik Eskwela Program, to assure safety of pedestrians and motorists, we are now completing the repair of potholes and

pedestrian lane repainting works along national roads near school sites,” he said.

Singson said the DPWH has also declogged canals and removed unsafe billboards within school vicinities.

Seventy-six toilets were also constructed in schools nationwide, he added.

DepEd: Fair weather on June 6

Fair weather is expected when classes open on June 6, DepEd said yesterday.

Jesus Mateo, education assistant secretary for planning and DepEd Oplan Balik Eskwela Task Force chairman, said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has forecast good weather on that day.

However, Vicente Malano, PAGASA acting deputy administrator for operations and services, said school officials must prepare for a rainy school opening day.

Other agencies at the command conference were the Departments of Trade and Industry, Defense, Interior and Local Government, Public Works and Highways and Health, as well as the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, the Manila Electric Co., Manila Water Co. and Maynilad Water Services Inc., and the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System.— With Cecille Suerte Felipe, Evelyn Macairan, (The Philippine Star)