MANILA, Philippines — Strict campus space limitations have forced the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) to accept only 3,000 students out of 70,000 applicants for Academic Year 2026–2027.
PLM President Domingo Reyes Jr. explained that while 43,000 individuals actually sat for the university entrance exam, severe infrastructure bounds prevented the institution from accepting more qualifiers.
“Kaya po ngayong taong 2026–2027, nagkaroon po tayo ng 70,000 applicants. 43,000 po ang nakakuha ng entrance exam, at 3,000 lang po ang natanggap natin dahil hindi na natin kayang i-absorb ang accommodation,” Reyes said.
“Pasensya na po, hindi natin mapagbibigyan lahat ng gustong mag-aral sa PLM,” he added.
Reyes noted that online applications for the upcoming school period close on Sept. 30, with submissions already reaching 65,000.
To help address the bottleneck, PLM is expanding its campus facilities with a new Health Sciences Building.
“Sana po ay magkaroon pa tayo ng pagkakataon, lalo na po kung maitatayo na ang ating bagong Health Sciences Building na makakadagdag sa dami ng enrollment,” Reyes stated.
Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso confirmed that foundation work for the university’s expansion is underway, noting that 132 of 340 required piles have already been driven into the ground.
“Rest assured, out of 340 piles, we have done 132 already. Nadurog na, na-clear na, na-pile drive na. So we are on track to creating more space in the PLM grounds, in its original ground, so that we can accommodate more,” Domagoso reported, adding that the city is actively exploring creative layout options to maximize campus space.
The city government recently turned over ₱125 million in operational subsidies to PLM.
“Ang total subsidy na natanggap na po natin ay ₱125 million, pero sa kabila po niyan, patuloy tayong inaalalayan ni Mayor sa mga pangangailangan nating pinansyal at mga kagamitan na kailangan ng mga mag-aaral,” Reyes noted.
Domagoso affirmed that Manila will maintain funding for free tuition at the local university, honoring the educational legacy set by former Mayors Arsenio Lacson and Antonio Villegas.
“Ang mahal magpaaral, cost per student. Just so you know, sa mga nag-aaral, it is very expensive for the government to have it free. But, like the vision of Lacson and Villegas, today as the torchbearer of that vision, we will continue to do so,” Domagoso stated.
“We are very proud of you, sa pamunuan, sa bumubuo ng faculty, at sa students. Worth every penny. Sulit na sulit ang paggasta ng buwis ng mamamayan ng Lungsod ng Maynila,” the mayor added.
The announcement coincided with a university ceremony recognizing PLM as the nation’s sixth top-performing higher education institution. Out of its 17 licensure degree paths, 16 registered passing rates higher than national averages, with three recording a perfect 100% passing mark.
PLM secured top rankings across multiple national board exams, including first place in Psychometrician, Chemical Engineering, and Real Estate Appraiser exams; second place in Real Estate Brokerage; third in Secondary Teacher Education; fourth in Architecture and Social Work; and seventh in Master Plumbing.