MANILA - The family of a University of the Philippines (UP) Manila student who took her own life welcomed on Tuesday state university officials' decision to lift their "no late payment" policy in all campuses.

Kristel Tejada's father, Christopher, said UP's announcement is a welcome development.

His daughter committed suicide after she was forced to go on leave from her studies because she was not able to pay her tuition on time.

Kristel's father, however, said what needs to be seriously studied is the Socialized Tuition and Financial Assistance Program (STFAP) bracketing system that is used to determine government's financial aid to students.

Tejada said, while the lifting of the "no late payment" policy will help students, it does not really solve the problem of those who face financial difficulties.

He cited the case of his daughter, who was classified under Bracket D but could not come up with tuition payment as her family encountered financial problems when Christopher was laid off from work.

Kristel's father said UP officials should seriously study their bracket system if they are serious in helping poor but deserving students.

He said UP chancellors should live up to the task given to them by the state, which is to make life of poor students easier, rather than implement policies that are burdensome for students who only want quality education.