The Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU) administration has proposed a 4% tuition fee increase for Higher Education and a 6% increase for Basic Education for the 2025-2026 academic year.

The university proposed a total of 10% increase in tuition fees across all departments, projected to generate Php 49.4 million. Of this, 76% will be allocated to salaries and benefits for university employees, as mandated by the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with faculty and staff unions.

For undergraduate students, the increase will vary depending on their year level: first-year students will pay an additional Php 66.10 per unit per semester, second-year students will see a Php 63.35 per unit increase, while third to fifth-year students will pay Php 60.17 more per unit. 

Laboratory fees will also rise accordingly: Php 601.00 for first-year students, Php 598.00 for second-year students, and Php 594.07 for third to fifth-year students.

According to Vice President for Finance & Treasurer Jimmy Delgado, the 4% tuition hike aligns with data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) and follows the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) recommendation, slightly lower than last year’s 5.3% inflation increase in Davao region.

“Based on our CBA, the school is required to allocate at least 76% of the tuition increment for salary increases and benefits. The 4% hike amounts to around Php 20.8 million, while the second amortization of the salary scale implemented this year costs Php 65 million, spread over five years,” Delgado explained.

With the annual salary increase, additional allowances, and other employee benefits, an estimated Php 45.57 million, which is 92% of the collected increase, will go toward employee compensation.

Campus infrastructure renovations

Delgado also outlined planned infrastructure improvements for the Jacinto campus, highlighting the immediate need to rehabilitate the electrical system and replace air conditioners in the Finster building, which is estimated to cost Php 37.7 million.

“Some of the requests [for improvements] are really for safety, some are a requirement from CHED… We do not have a choice [but] to put a budget on it,” Delgado said

The administration also assured that WiFi routers have already been ordered and are expected to be installed in all classrooms by March or April.

“All the classrooms, as agreed, will have specific WiFi… We already ordered the router. By some time in March or April, the WiFi per classroom will be implemented… With regards to the Daigler, TSO admitted na may problem sa server natin because kulang, so that is why in this year’s budget, they allocated Php 20M to add additional servers,” Delgado addressed.

Introduction of the Global Citizenship fund

In addition to the tuition adjustments, the university introduced a new miscellaneous fee—the Global Citizenship Fund—to strengthen AdDU’s globalization efforts and support student mobility initiatives. This program will provide deserving students with international exchange and global networking opportunities.

A Php 200.00 per semester fee will be charged to all students, except those in the College of Law, starting next academic year. This fee will be subject to annual review based on program needs.

To present the detailed breakdown of tuition and other fees for the upcoming academic year, SAMAHAN will hold a town hall meeting on February 5, 2025.

The multisectoral TOFSI meeting with the AdDU administration took place on January 31, 2025, at the Pakighinabi Room, CCFC Building, Jacinto Campus.