Marcos signs laws on student loans, evacuation centers

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. —SCREENGRAB FROMPRESIDENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE FACEBOOK PAGE

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed on Friday two laws for the construction of fully equipped evacuation centers and imposing a moratorium on student loan payments.

“The signing of the Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act and the Student Loan Payment Moratorium During Disasters and Emergencies Act today reflects our steadfast commitment to protecting the rights and providing relief to families and students affected by calamities,” the President said during the laws’ signing in Malacañang on Friday morning.

The President signed Republic Act No. 12076 (Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act) and RA 12077 (Student Loan Payment Moratorium During Disasters and Emergencies Act) in a brief ceremony with lawmakers.

READ: Escudero: Student loan moratorium law a ‘timely intervention’ from gov’t

The Ligtas Pinoy Center Act mandates the construction of permanent and fully equipped evacuation centers that can withstand typhoons and earthquakes.

The President said the measure was crafted to address the decades-long practice of tapping schools as temporary shelter in times of disasters.

“Schools are supposed to be sanctuaries for learning, creativity, and growth; they should not also bear the burden of being makeshift shelters. With the enactment of this law, we heed that appeal and commit to only using our schools for the promotion of our students’ welfare and development of the education system,” he said.

The President admitted that he does not want such evacuation centers to be frequently used and that he can “only pray that we have fewer calamities.”

Mr. Marcos ordered the Department of Public Works and Highways to ensure that the evacuation centers are constructed and finished on time while complying with building standards.

Meanwhile, the Student Loan Payment Moratorium During Disasters and Emergencies Act suspends student loan payments without penalty and interest in times of disasters.

The loan repayments for higher education and technical-vocational training programs will be deferred during and after calamities to allow affected students and their families to focus on their recovery and studies.