Solon hits ‘diluted’ version of No Permit, No Exam Prohibition Act

MANILA, Philippines — Kabataan party-list Rep. Raoul Manuel has criticized the current administration for its approval of what he called a “diluted” version of the No Permit, No Exam Prohibition Act, or Republic Act No. 11984.

Manuel pointed out that students unable to pay for their tuition due to disasters or emergencies and other “justifiable reasons” are still required to obtain a certificate from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) first before they are allowed to take their exams. 

“While many of us are rejoicing, the Marcos Jr. administration is a killjoy. It does not want the students and parents who are burdened with school expenses to fully benefit from this law because he signed the diluted version of it, which the Kabataan Partylist first filed,” the lawmaker stressed. 

“In the signed version, students still need to obtain a DSWD certification to prove they cannot afford to pay before the exam period. Marcos also reduced the punishment for schools caught violating the law,” he added. 

Under RA 11984, violators will be subjected “to administrative sanctions that may be imposed by the Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education, and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.”

Moreover, Manuel pointed out that the government still approves of the annual increase in tuition and other school fees, which he claimed only benefits corporate giants who own these institutions. 

In line with this, the lawmaker called on the public to report violations to the Kabataan party-list.

“So we encourage all students and parents who have long been calling for an end to the “No Permit, No Exam” policy: report to the Kabataan Partylist when there is still a forced collection of tuition and other fees when the exam period is approaching in your school,” the lawmaker added.