PUP offers free college courses in open university program
In her report on '24 Oras Weekend', Bernadette Reyes said the PUP Open University System offers free tuition and flexible time.
'Kabilang ang PUP Open University System doon sa free tuition na nasa batas natin. Hindi ito yung traditional system na papasok ka araw-araw. Actually meron tayong combination ng synchronous and asynchronous,' said Dr. Rudolf Lacerna, the executive director of the PUP Open University System.
(The PUP Open University System is among those offering free tuition that is provided by law. It differs from the traditional system where you need to have to attend daily classes. Actually we have a combination of synchronous and asynchronous classes.)
Starting from two courses, the system has since expanded to at least 10 undergraduate programs where applicants can sign up.
For example under Business Administration, applicants can choose courses such as Marketing Management, Office Administration and Tourism Management. Among Communication courses, one can select from Journalism, Advertising and Public Relations. There are Engineering and Information Technology programs being offered as well.
Aside from working parents who wish to continue or finish their post-high school education, the Open University also welcomes Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), Persons Deprived of Liberty and survivors of serious illnesses. There is also no age limitation.
Lacerna said applicants only need to pass the entrance examination and submit a number of requirements such as a birth certificate, credentials from the high school where they studied that coincides with the curriculum when they were enrolled. —RF, GMA Integrated News
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GMA Network
2 days ago
- GMA Network
SONA 2025: Infrastructure projects to continue, vows Marcos
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Kapag nagawa na at binuksan na ang detour bridge, doon pa lamang sisimulan ang trabaho sa main bridge,' he said. (This was already being planned since I was in the Senate. I will not allow this issue to reach yet another administration. Public safety is at stake here. Guadalupe Bridge will not be closed. A detour bridge will be constructed on opposite ends as a temporary measure. Once the detour bridge is finished, we will start work on the main bridge.) Hanging bridges 'At sa kabila ng mga higanteng tulay na ito, huwag nating kaliligtaan ang mga hanging bridge sa iba't ibang lugar sa ating bansa,' Marcos said. 'Mahalaga ang mga ito sa pang-araw-araw na buhay ng publiko, lalo na sa mga guro at estudyante. Ilan ang nabalitaan kong insidente ng pagbagsak ng mga tulay na ganito. 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'Sa tulong ng PAMANA (PAyapa at MAsaganang PamayaNAn) at iba pang mga programa, ayusin at kumpunihin natin agad,' Marcos said. (With the help of PAMANA, and other programs, we will fix and inspect these immediately.) Cabagan-Sta. Maria Bridge Marcos said corruption in administering government projects will not be overlooked, citing the collapsed Cabaga-Sta. Maria Bridge in Isabela. 'Ang kapalpakan sa pagdisenyo at sa pagkakagawa; Ang mababang kalidad at marupok na mga materyales; Ang pagka-antala ng proyekto; at ang kapabayaan sa tamang pagmentina at pagkumpuni,' he said. 'Halimbawa, ang Cabagan-Sta. Maria bridge sa Isabela na sinimulan noong 2014. Ginastusan ng taumbayan ng isang bilyon. Sampung taong buksan, ilang araw pa lang, giba na agad. Ang mahal. Ang tagal ginawa. Ang bilis nasira,' he added. (The sloppy design and construction; the low quality and poor quality of materials; the delays in the project; and the careless maintenance and repair. For example, the Cabagan-Sta. 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At naaalagaan at namementinang mabuti,' he added. (Under Build Better More, the welfare and safety of the people are the priority. The projects should be properly designed. Their quality should be high. They should be finished within the allotted time. And undergo proper care and maintenance.) — RF, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
24-06-2025
- GMA Network
Transport groups: Fuel subsidy not enough amid big-time oil price hike
Transport groups welcomed the government fuel subsidy in the face of this week's big-time oil price hike but said this is not enough to allay concerns about the future of their jobs and the possible increase in the cost of basic commodities. In Bernadette Reyes' report on 24 Oras on Monday, motorists endured long lines to fill up their fuel tanks before the increased prices kicked in on Tuesday morning. A number of gas stations ran out of fuel stocks several hours before the first installment of this week's big-time oil price hike. Several pumps in Quezon City ran out of unleaded gasoline and diesel, with only more expensive premium gas left. Fuel subsidy Meanwhile, the Department of Transportation said the government's fuel subsidy for buses, taxis, UV Express, TNVS, ride hailing services and delivery vehicles will also include unconsolidated jeepneys. This will be managed by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT). The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) will manage the fuel subsidy for tricycles. Jeepney driver Boy Dingcong welcomed the news, noting the difficulties in traffic and the lack of passengers. TNVS driver Elmer Caduyac said the fuel subsidy is a big help. Some transport groups express gratitude for the fuel subsidy but hopes some problems from before would not be repeated. Obet Martin, the national president of Pasang Masda, said some cards issued by the Landbank did not contain funds. Despite the announcement of the fuel subsidy, the group PISTON proceeded with its protest action, demanding long term solutions as they claimed the subsidy would only last a few days. The group threatened its members would stop operating if diesel reaches P60 per liter. 'Hindi lamang sa NCR kundi sa buong bansa. Dahil siya naman ang Pangulo ng ating bansa puede sya maglabas ng executive order na isuspinde yung usapin ng mataas na buwis sa produktong petrolyo sa ilalim ng VAT at excise tax sa langis,' said PISTON national president Mody Floranda. (Not just in Metro Manila but the whole country. Since he is President of the country he could issue an executive order to suspend the high taxes on petroleum products under the Value Added Tax and excise tax on oil.) But according to the Department of Energy, it is beyond their hands or power to do so. 'Wala po tayo sa lugar. Iyan ay gawain at wisdom na panggagalingan po ng Congress,' said Director Rino Abad of the DOE - Oil Industry Management Bureau. (That is beyond falls within the authority and wisdom of Congress.) ''Pag-uusapan 'yan kung saka-sakali, kung ano ang magiging epekto niyan. Dahil kapag nawala 'yang P400 billion collection revenue ng gobyerno, ano ho ang ipapalit?', he added. (That would be discussed in any event, of what the effects would be. If the P400 billion collection revenue is lost, what would replace it?) Currently, Abad said the DOE is continuing to look for programs and work with oil companies to curb the effects of rising price of petroleum that include providing discount promos. Aside from motorists, both consumers and vendors are concerned about the possible increase in the price of basic commodities such as food. —RF, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
15-06-2025
- GMA Network
P20 rice launched for minimum wage earners in Davao del Sur
The Department of Labor and Employment-Davao (DOLE-11), in partnership with the Department of Agriculture (DA) XI, launched the P20-per-kilo rice program in Hagonoy, Davao del Sur on Thursday, June 13, 2025. A total of 4,000 kilos of rice were repacked and sold to 400 minimum wage workers employed at a sugarcane farm under the Davao Mill District Development Council Foundation, Inc., which also serves as the partner organization for the program's launch. DOLE-11 Director, Atty. Randolf Pensoy, said the affordable rice initiative is currently available to vulnerable sectors, including senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWDs), and beneficiaries of the Department of Social Welfare and Development's (DSWD) Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps). However, DOLE aims to extend the program's reach to include minimum wage earners. Employers, labor organizations, or workers' associations interested in availing of the program must sign a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with Food Terminal Inc. (FTI). Once the agreement is in place, FTI will purchase rice from the National Food Authority (NFA) and distribute it to the beneficiaries for P20 per kilo. —GMA Regional TV News
