Representatives from Rizal Technological University (RTU) actively participated in the Stakeholder Consultation on the Normative Tuition and Other School Fees (TOSF) Study, organized by the Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education (UniFAST), on March 11, 2026, at the CHED Central Office. The consultation gathered officials and representatives from various State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) to discuss the proposed methodology and framework for the Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) and TOSF under the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act.

Representing the University were Dr. Rodolfo L. Ducut, Vice President for Finance and Administration, and Dr. Kristine Y. Opulencia, Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs.

During the consultation, Dr. Ducut delivered the Opening Remarks, emphasizing the importance of the consultation in ensuring that the proposed framework remains responsive to the realities faced by SUCs. In his message, Dr. Ducut highlighted that, from RTU’s perspective, stakeholder consultation provides an important opportunity to strengthen the policy framework governing the implementation of TES.

He emphasized that SUCs require a clear, transparent, and predictable standardized budget methodology that fairly allocates TOSF among universities. According to Dr. Ducut, institutions delivering quality tertiary education to thousands of students under the free higher education policy must be supported by a funding model that accounts for differences in enrollment size, program complexity, infrastructure requirements, and the actual costs of delivering instruction, research, and extension services.

In addition, he expressed the University’s expectation that the proposed budget forecasting and estimation models will reflect the ongoing expansion of access to higher education. With the increasing number of students and the growing demand for programs in technology, engineering, and innovation, SUCs must continuously invest in laboratories, digital infrastructure, and faculty development. These operational realities, he noted, should be properly considered in the computation of the normative TOSF allocation.

For her part, Dr. Kristine Y. Opulencia shared her insights and key takeaways in an interview with UniFAST. She highlighted the importance of continuous dialogue between UniFAST and SUCs to ensure that policies related to tertiary education financing remain responsive to the evolving needs of higher education institutions and the students they serve.

Dr. Opulencia emphasized that consultations like this provide a meaningful platform for SUCs to share institutional experiences and perspectives, helping shape policies that support the long-term sustainability of free higher education in the country.

Through its participation in the consultation, RTU reaffirmed its commitment to supporting collaborative policy development efforts that strengthen the partnership between government and SUCs in advancing accessible, inclusive, and quality tertiary education for Filipino students.