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College students kick off school year with protests


As the the new school year for college students began on Monday, students of state universities and colleges held protest actions to push for more funds for state scholars. In Manila, students of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) brought placards with message seeking an additional budget for their school, radio dzBB’s Carlo Mateo reported. The PUP students said the Aquino administration should not neglect the PUP, which only received a P700-million budget this year. According to the report, PUP president Dante Guevarra assured the students the tuition rates at PUP remain low at P12 per unit. In Quezon City, students of the University of the Philippines (UP) held protest at Palma Hall to criticize what they called hidden tuition hikes, dzBB’s Allan Gatus reported. The report said the UP students from Sanlakas Youth called for the replacement of the UP’s Socialized Tuition Fee Assistance Program (STFAP) by a “socialized" education subsidy. Cops inspect schools Meanwhile, the police in Metro Manila conducted early inspections of schools in Manila’s university belt as private schools and colleges began the school year Monday. Metro Manila police director Chief Superintendent Allan Purisima met with security heads of the schools during his early inspection. Among the schools Purisima inspected early morning were the University of the East, Far Eatern University and Centro Escolar University, the report said. While the school year officially started last June 6, many private schools and colleges opted to start the school year a week later. During his rounds, Purisima reminded the security heads to be vigilant against criminals who are out to mug or fleece students. He also encouraged schools to install closed-circuit television systems to help police solve crimes victimizing students. Purisima also urged students to report crimes to the Metro Manila police text hotlines at 0915-8888181 and 0999-9018181; and use the hotline 117 and the PNP text line 2920. For their part, the Philippine National Police and Department of Education remained on alert, with the PNP maintaining high alert in school zones. The DepEd said that while its action center has been closed, it will remain alert for complaints, radio dzBB’s Glen Juego reported. DepEd Undersecretary Tonisito Umali said they will still receive calls through hotline 6361663, text line 0919-4570027, and email action@deped.gov.ph. - VVP, GMA News

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