BACOLOD CITY -- The Bacolod City College (BCC) is now among the local universities and colleges (LUCs) offering free tuition and miscellaneous fees under Republic Act 10931 or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act (UAQTEA).
It is one the 27 LUCs recently granted approval by the Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education (UniFAST) Governing Board to avail of the benefits under the said law.
A copy of the memorandum issued by UNiFAST officer-in-charge Carmelita Yadao-Sison dated May 30, 2019, stating BCC’s inclusion in the list, was received by the Office of Bacolod City Lone District Rep. Greg Gasataya from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) on Monday.
Gasataya welcomed the approval for the BCC, which he had lobbied for since last year.
BCC, which has about 3,500 students, charges PHP30 per unit. Each student pays PHP1,196 for 29 units, including miscellaneous fees.
BCC administrator Ma. Johanna Bayoneta earlier said students who will avail of the free tuition and other fees, but have already paid, will be given a refund.
The implementing rules and regulations of UAQTEA states that enrolled college students need not pay for their tuition, miscellaneous and other similar or related fees.
The miscellaneous fees include library, computer, laboratory, school ID, athletic, admission, development, handbook, guidance, entrance, registration, medical, dental, and cultural fees.
The students, however, should finish their college education within the four-year time frame.
Aside from BCC, four other LUCs in Western Visayas are qualified to offer their students benefits under the UAQTEA.
These are the Bago City College in Negros Occidental, Iloilo City Community College, Passi City College in Iloilo province, and Libacao College of Science and Technology in Aklan. (PNA)
