The Polytechnic University of the Philippines College Entrance Test (PUPCET) for the school year 2025-2026 was successfully launched, as the first batch of applicants took the exam at the Main Campus in Sta. Mesa, Manila, January 12, Sunday.
Despite the proliferating issue of the university’s budget cut, approximately 22,000 students from various parts of the country traveled to take the said exam.
With an expected high population of exam takers, PUP coordinated with Barangays 591, 592, 628, 629, and 630 to implement road closures along Anonas St. from Nuestra Señora de Salvacion Parish to Teresa St. to minimize traffic surrounding the campus.
Office of Student Services (OSS) Director, Associate Prof. Jimmy Fernando, itemized the whole East and West wings of the PUP Main Building and 12 Laboratory High School rooms, which will be used as designated examination rooms throughout the PUPCET period.
PUP community in woes due to reduced budget
According to the PUP Campus Journalists, Vice President for Student Affairs and Services (VPSAS) Tomas O. Testor discussed this year’s PUPCET receiving approximately 125,000 applications at the Main Campus, surpassing last year’s 100,000 applicants.
Testor added that PUP Sta. Mesa can accommodate 12,000 students for the upcoming academic year—the same as last year—since it is sufficient for the university’s total capacity and classrooms.
However, education remains inaccessible for many students due to other school fees (OSF), which require them to pay for learning materials and access to university facilities.
It can be recalled that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed the official national budget for 2025 on December 30, 2024, in which PUP was allocated a budget of only ₱3.4 billion, an ₱8.4 billion-decrease from its original ₱11.8 billion reserved budget.
According to the 2024 National Expenditure Program (NEP), PUP is among the 30 state universities and colleges (SUCs) that experienced budget cuts, which organizations from the university voiced against. PUPians also launched the Budget Increase Alliance (BIA), a petition to secure a higher subsidy from November 2 to 8 last year.
Aspirants, parents weigh in on PUPCET experience
In an interview with The Communicator, students and their parents openly expressed their emotions and heartfelt messages as they prepared for the upcoming examination.
Aspiring PUPian Josh Villanueva, a senior high school student from Jesus is Lord Colleges Foundation in Bocaue, Bulacan, described his mixed emotions of excitement and nervousness on the exam.
“Honestly, it’s unexplainable. I cannot express kung ano ang nararamdaman ko today. But as of the moment, mas nangingibabaw ‘yong kaba,” Villanueva uttered.
Having taken various exams at different state universities, Villanueva shared that PUP is his top choice for college. He highlighted the university's openness toward the LGBTQIA+ community as a key factor that drew him to pursue his studies at the university.
“I’m looking forward of its events and ‘yong empowerment na kayang ibigay ng institution na ‘to. Like me na gustong maging free and liberated sa buhay. I’m longing for independence, and PUP is a paragon of what I’m longing for,” he added.
A parent of an examinee also shared her sentiments while waiting for her child, expressing nervousness due to the large number of aspiring PUPians taking the exam.
“Siyempre kinakabahan kasi nakikita ko ang daming examinees. Sana ay makapasok [siya],” she said.
Despite the tension, another parent also articulated their message and what they are looking forward to in their child’s college experience if they pass the exam.
“Makapagtapos siya, ma[kamit] niya ang gusto niya, okay lang naman. Support lang kami,” the mother said. “Sana ‘pag nakapagtapos siya, down to Earth pa rin siya,” she added.
To accommodate the influx of examinees, the exam was administered in four batches: 8:00 AM, 10:30 AM, 1:00 PM, and 3:30 PM.
The application submission for PUPCET 2025-2026 officially opened on November 26, 2024. Initially scheduled to close on December 31, 2024, the deadline was extended, providing applicants additional time until January 31, 2025, to submit their applications.
Following the first batch, the next rounds of PUPCET are scheduled on January 26, February 16, and March 2025.
Article: Jannine Lagbawan & Henry Ramirez
Graphics: Lourence Angelo Marcellana
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