Makabayan solons push for P10K cash aid for students

(FILE) DISTANCE LEARNING — Grade 10 student Jason Solis with his cousin John Matthew, an incoming 8-grade student attend orientation on the first day of online class in their home in Bgy. Poblacion, Makati City.
INQUIRER/ MARIANNE BERMUDEZ

MANILA, Philippines — The Makabayan Bloc in the House of Representatives is pushing for a P10,000 cash aid for students affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

This is among the proposals contained in the proposed Emergency Student Aid and Relief Law filed by the House bloc on Friday.

Under the measure, students will receive a P5,000 financial aid for tuition and other education-related expenses. Another P5,000 will be given to students as subsidy for online and modular learning expenses.

“For immediate relief under the COVID-19 pandemic, this bill contains a one-time cash subsidy of ten thousand pesos (Php10,000) for each student as well as those who dropped out during the pandemic,” the Makabayan lawmakers said in the bill.

Aside from the one-time cash aid, the bill is also pushing for the implementation of the “Student Aid Program.”

Under the said program, students shall receive said aid in cash form upon declaration by the national government of a national emergency or any declaration to that effect.

During national emergencies, students shall receive financial assistance for tuition other education-related expenses of at least P1,000 per month. Aside from this, students shall also receive a subsidy for online and modular learning expenses of at least P1,000 per month.

“In this bill, it seeks to institutionalize an emergency student aid and relief system during times of national emergency or crisis to assist Filipino students and youth in their expenses related to alternative modes of learning, including tuition, other school fees, gadgets, and internet connectivity, among others,” the lawmakers said.

The bill likewise pushes for a moratorium on tuition and other school fee increases as well as a waiver of student loans incurred during an emergency or crisis.

The Makabayan Bloc includes Kabataan Partylist Rep. Sarah Jane Elago; Bayan Muna Reps. Carlos Zarate, Eufemia Cullamat, and Ferdinand Gaite; ACT Teachers Partylist Rep. France Castro; and Gabriela Women’s Party Rep. Arlene Brosas.

/MUF