The Senate building at the GSIS Complex in Pasay City. (Photo by LYN RILLON / Philippine Daily Inquirer)
MANILA, Philippines — Two measures benefiting students have been approved on second reading at the Senate on Tuesday.
Senate Bill No. 1359 or the “No Permit, No Exam” Prohibition Act” and Senate Bill No. 1864 or the Student Loan Payment Moratorium During Disasters and Emergencies Act were approved on second reading during the plenary session.
Under Senate Bill No. 1359, it is “declared unlawful for any educational institution, public or private, to prevent any student from taking examinations or any form of educational assessment for reasons of financial or property obligations, including unpaid tuition and other school fees.”
The measure covers all public and private learning institutions at all levels.
Students or their legal guardians should submit a promissory note addressed to the educational institution or its authorized representative, indicating the outstanding financial amount or property obligations and when it would be paid.
Meanwhile, Senate Bill No. 1864 pronounces “the policy of the State to protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality education at all levels and to ensure that such education is accessible to all.”
The bill said that the State shall authorize the postponement of student loan collection for a reasonable period during and after the onset of disasters and other emergencies.
The measure covers students enrolled in state and local universities and colleges, private higher education institutions, and public and private technical-vocational institutions whose residence is located in areas under a state of calamity or emergency.
Senator Francis Escudero, chairperson of the Senate committee on higher, technical and vocational education, sponsored the two measures.
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