Nanay Fe was shocked when she saw the cost of tuition of her daughter Karina at the “University of the People.” And even if she was exempted by the Bureau of Internal Revenue from paying an income tax because her annual income is a mere P46, 000 ($1,005), her daughter was placed in Bracket C of the Socialized Tuition and Financial Assistance Program (STFAP) thus, they were made to pay P600 ($13.11) per unit, which they cannot afford.
By Alaysa Tagumpay E. Escandor
Philippine Collegian
Posted by Bulatlat
Vol. VII, No. 23, July 15-21, 2007
A typical day for Nanay Fe* means using her old sewing machine. She brings the rusty contraption to life with one hand on the balance wheel and her feet on the treadle. The combined tension causes the needle to pierce through the fabric repeatedly, threading the uniform together.
Even with years of experience, it still takes her hours to finish one order. Nanay Fe works at home, in a cramped shed half the size of a UP classroom. The dingy walls create shadows, and she must hunch to examine the cloth. She makes sure each uniform is perfect, lest she loses another “suki”(regular customer).
Nanay Fe’s daughter, Karina*, is a freshman at the UP College of Mass Communication. They were among the first hit by one of the university’s most contested policies: the 300 percent tuition increase. Critics asserted that it would restrict access to UP education. However, UP President Emerlinda Roman reasoned that the revised Socialized Tuition and Financial Assistance Program (STFAP) will exempt “the most economically underprivileged of students” from tuition.
Meanwhile, Nanay Fe is busy with various projects: uniforms, curtains and embroidered fabrics.
One order yields a few hundred peso bills. Hopefully, the accumulated sum will be enough to pay part of her P12, 000 ($262.29 at an exchange rate of $1=P45.75) loan, which she borrowed from relatives.
Otherwise, she could not have possibly enrolled Karina in UP. After all, nobody else will ensure her daughter’s education except her. “Byuda na ako,” (I am already a widow.) Nanay Fe sadly shares.
Aside from her monthly pension, sewing is her only source of income. “Bumaba na nga ang kinikita ko ngayon,” she says wearily. “Nagsulputan yung mga ukay-ukay. E, syempre, mas cheap yun, kaya dun na lang sila bumibili ng damit.” (My income has gone down nowadays because of the proliferation of thrift shops. Of course, the clothes are cheaper there that is why people turn to these shops to buy their clothes.)
Though it has only been one month into the first semester, Nanay Fe is already worrying about the next semester. With the tuition rate pegged to the annual inflation rate, the increase is bound to be incessant and the fees certain to be higher every year. “Mangungutang na lang ulit [ako],” Nanay Fe sighs in resignation, “Kasi, kung sa pananahi ko lang, hindi ko kakayanin.” (I would have to loan money again. My earnings from sewing would not suffice.)
Even then, Karina feels a sublime accomplishment for being in UP. “Sa buong batch namin, ako lang ang nakapasa,” (I was the only one from our batch who passed the entrance exams.) she says. In her confirmation letter, a memo from the Office of the Vice-Chancellor for Student Affairs stated that “students who need further subsidies may apply for the benefits under the…STFAP.” The memo, however, said nothing about the revised STFAP. Rather, it presented the old bracketing system. “Kahit yung pagtaas ng tuition, hindi rin detalyado,” (Even the details of the tuition increase were not explained.) Karina adds.
Only when Karina applied for STFAP online did she discover the new bracketing system. “Ang expected ko talaga yung lowest bracket,” (I was expecting to be placed in the lowest bracket.) Karina shares. “Mahirap lang talaga kami.” (We are really poor.) Yet, come enrolment, Karina was categorized in Bracket C.
Karina recalls her mother’s anger when she told her about the bracket assignment, “Hindi kasi namin kaya kahit P600 ($13.11) per unit.”(We really cannot afford even P600 per unit.) At this point, Nanay Fe also gets fired up. “May tax [exemption] na nga ako sa BIR, dahil mga 46,000 ($1,005) per year lang ang income [namin].” (I was even exempted by the Bureau of Internal Revenue from paying an income tax because my annual income is a mere P46, 000.) Nanay Fe also points that there were too many documents required. “Pati death certificate ng asawa ko…hiningi nila,” (They asked even for the death certificate of my husband.) she says. Karina adds, “Kahit yung STFAP form, kelangan ikaw pa mag-print, eh mga 14 pages yun.”(We were required to print the STFAP form which was 14 pages long.)
