Senate of the Philippines | INQUIRER FILES
MANILA, Philippines — Bills prohibiting the “No Permit, No Exam” policy and student loan payment during emergencies and 15 other measures have hurdled the Senate’s final reading on Monday.
During the plenary session, the upper chamber approved on third reading 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 with 22 affirmative votes.
No one opposed nor abstained in voting for the measures sponsored by Senator Francis Escudero, chairperson of the Senate committee on higher, technical, and vocational education.
Senate Bill No. 1359, covering both public and private schools, seeks to restrict the “No Permit, No Exam” policy and to prohibit any policy that prevents learners from taking educational assessments because of unsettled financial or property obligations.
Senate Bill No. 1864, meanwhile, authorizes the postponement of student loan collection during and after the onset of emergencies.
Moreover, the Senate approved on final reading 12 House bills that aim to separate, convert, and establish schools across the archipelago.
The bills that would separate schools and turn them into independent and elementary high schools are:
- House Bill No. 6660 – Baclay National High School
- House Bill No. 6661 – Ramon Magsaysay National High School
- House Bill No. 6668 – Gaspar Danwata National High School
- House Bill No. 6699 – Ambatutong Elementary School
- House Bill No. 6700 – Mariano Gomes National High School
Meanwhile, the following are the measures that seek to convert remote elementary schools into integrated schools:
- House Bill No. 6663 – Bukid Integrated School
- House Bill No. 6664 – The Tribal Filipino School of Tambelang Integrated School
- House Bill No. 6665 – The Kidaman Integrated School
- House Bill No. 6695 – Hibao-An Integrated School
- House Bill No. 6696 – Nabitasan Integrated School
On the other hand, two bills pushing for the creation of high schools passed on third reading: House Bill No. 6669 or the establishment of the Mabca National High School in Sagnay, Camarines Sur and House Bill No. 6697 or the establishment of the Bolila National High School in Malita, Davao Occidental.
House Bill No. 4635 or the Act Extending the Term of Office of the Adiong Memorial State College President from Three Years to Four Years was likewise green-lighted.
Further, Senate Bill No. 1841 or the Act Strengthening the Conservation and Protection of Our National Cultural Heritage through An Enhanced Cultural Mapping Program and Senate Bill No. 1594 or the One Town, One Product Philippines Act of 2023 received a final Senate nod.