CHED probes complaints about 'miscellaneous' fees

With the new school year just a few days away, the Commission on Higher Education is looking into supposedly questionable miscellaneous fees some universities are collecting. CHED commissioner Julito Vitriolo said that to curb potential abuse by schools, "siguro magkakaroon ng listahan kung ano lang ang pwede nilang i-collect (Perhaps we will come up with a list of items covered by miscellaneous fees)," he said in an interview on dzBB radio. He cited reports reaching him indicating some schools charge various fees, including a supposed "environmental" fee. A separate report on dzBB cited complaints that some schools even charge for use of school facilities for recharging mobile phones. Vitriolo said they are looking into such claims and assessing if such fees are reasonable. In the meantime, Vitriolo said parents and students can call the CHED hotline to report questionable fees, at 4411216. School supply profiteers Meanwhile, Malacañang on Saturday reminded parents to report profiteers to the proper authorities. Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) had specified that price hikes in school supplies can only go as high as five percent. “Pag in demand ang school supplies, five percent ang reasonable na pagtaas. Kung umakyat doon at naramdaman ninyong sobra na ang presyo, ini-encourage namin kayo na mag-report sa DTI," Valte said on government dzRB radio. The DTI’s hotline is 7513330, she said. Moreover, she said parents on a tight budget can wait for the government’s “Diskwento Caravan" that offers basic goods and school supplies at prices lower than those given by commercial distributors. She added that other government agencies are doing their part, with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) checking school supplies for possible toxic substances. Earlier, the FDA said it has systems in place to ensure the safety of toys and school supplies such as crayons and pencils. In Advisory 2011-005, the FDA reminded business establishments that their products should have the Trade Department's Philippine National Standard for Safety of Toys, and a Certificate of Conformity for shipment of toys. Security for schools Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police (PNP) has started coordinating with government agencies to ensure the security of students. The PNP said it will concentrate security coverage at airports, seaports, transport terminals, business establishments and areas of convergence. "Police Assistance Desks will also be established near major school campuses and clustered schools nationwide in coordination with school authorities and their security forces, and barangay force multipliers," it said in a news release on its website. It added it is coordinating with the Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Local Government Units and other concerned agencies for security coverage and public safety services. The PNP noted a huge volume of students will converge in school campuses and universities, particularly in Metro Manila and other urban centers, for the School Year 2011-2012. It said police stations will conduct mobile and foot patrols along major routes, highways and within immediate vicinities of school premises to ensure public safety. But the PNP advised the public, especially students, to be more vigilant while going to and returning from schools, particularly on public utility jeepneys, buses, and trains where criminals could take advantage of them. "Commuters should be mindful and secure their belongings at all times. In addition, parents should always keep their eyes on their children while going and leaving school premises. If unnecessary actions or suspicious person or group are observed, they must immediately report or go to the nearest Police Assistance Desks or Police Stations," it said. — LBG, GMA News