TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session 25 JUL 10 P6:19 SENATE RECHARGE" S. No. 137 Introduced by Senator Raffy T. Tulfo AN ACT MANDATING ALL PUBLIC ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS TO IMPLEMENT A NO COLLECTION POLICY EXPLANATORY NOTE Based on the Philippine Statistics Authority's Annual Poverty Indicators Survey (APIS) for the school year 2022 to 2023, 18.6% of children aged five (5) to twenty-four (24) years were not enrolled in school. One of the primary reasons cited for their non- attendance was financial constraints or the high cost of education. This highlights the urgent need for government action to ensure that no child is forced to stop schooling due to economic hardship, especially in light of the constitutional mandate to provide free public education at the elementary and secondary levels. Under Section 1, Article XIV of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, the State is expressly mandated to protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality education at all levels and to take appropriate steps to make such education accessible to all. Furthermore, Section 2(2) of the same Article provides that the State shall establish and maintain a system of free public education in the elementary and high school levels. This bill seeks to give full effect to these constitutional policies by banning the collection of any form of fees or contributions from students enrolled in public elementary and secondary schools. Thus, it aims to ease the burden on low-income families, thereby fostering inclusivity and equal educational opportunities for all.
Ultimately, by enforcing a no-collection policy in public schools, the bill seeks to eliminate financial barriers that hinder student enrollment and retention, as well as address the significant financial challenges faced by parents and guardians in securing education for their children. In view of the foregoing, immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought. RAFFY T. TURFO paY
TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) JUL 10 P6:19 First Regular Session Manni NO. 57 Introduced by Senator Raffy T. Tulfo AN ACT MANDATING ALL PUBLIC ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS TO IMPLEMENT A NO COLLECTION POLICY Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress Assembled:
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "No Collection Policy in all
Public Elementary and Secondary Schools".
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State affirms its duty to uphold the right of all
Filipinos to free and accessible quality education. It shall likewise ensure access to elementary and secondary education by eliminating all forms of financial barriers and taking appropriate steps to make such education truly attainable. Towards this end, all public elementary and secondary schools shall adopt and enforce a no-collection policy to promote inclusive and equitable access to education.
Sec. 3. No Collection Policy in All Public Elementary and Secondary Schools. - No
fees, charges, or contributions shall be collected from students enrolled in all public elementary, and secondary schools, whether during the enrollment period or at any time during the school year.
Sec. 4. Coverage. - This prohibition shall cover, among others, contributions
referred to as voluntary, such as those for the Boy Scouts of the Philippines, Girl Scouts of the Philippines, Philippine Red Cross, and the Anti-TB Fund Drive.
Sec. 5. Allowable Voluntary Contribution for Higher Grade Levels.- For grade and
year levels beyond Grade IV, no collection of any type shall be made during the enrollment period and the first month of classes. Starting on the second month of the school year, contributions for the following may be collected, but only on a voluntary basis: 1. Boy/Girl Scouts Membership 2. Red Cross Membership 3. Anti-TB Fund Drive 4. School Publication 5. Membership in Student Organizations
Sec. 6. Payment of School Publication Fee. - The school publication fee shall be
set at the school level but shall not be more than Php 60.00 per elementary school pupil and Php 90.00 per secondary school student. The publication of a school newspaper, while not mandatory, is strongly encouraged, particularly at the secondary level in line with the campus journalism program.
Sec. 7. Payment of Membership Fees for Student Organizations. - It shall be set
by the organization subject to existing school policies on student organizations.
Sec. 8. Prohibition on Mandatory Parents Teachers Conference Association
Contributions (PTCA). - The Parents Teachers Conference Association, or any of its officers, shall in no case compel or require any parent, guardian, or student to contribute or donate, whether in cash, in kind, or in the form of services, for any project, program, or activity of the PTCA.
Sec. 9. No Collection Policy for Graduation and Moving-Up Rites. - No fees shall be
collected for graduation rites and moving-up ceremonies in all public elementary and secondary schools. All expenses related to these activities shall be charged to the Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE) of the school.
Sec. 10. Automatic Enrollment of Promoted Pupils/students. - Those who are
promoted to the next grade or year level are considered automatically enrolled for the coming school year in the same school. Only pupils entering first grade, students entering first year high school, and transferees from another public school or a private school need
only for sectioning purposes or any other pre-opening preparations as determined by the school administrators.
Sec. 11. Release of Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses. - Schools Division
Superintendents are directed to release MOOE funds to schools without fiscal autonomy in the form of cash advance to ensure that operating funds are available at the start of the school year.
Sec. 12. Monitoring and Supervision. - Regional and division offices are advised
to undertake monitoring activities during the enrollment period and the first month of classes to ensure that the provisions of this Act are strictly complied with.
Sec. 13. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Department of Education
shall promulgate the rules and regulations to implement this Act within thirty (30) days from its effectivity.
SEC. 14. Repealing Clause. - All laws, orders issuance, circulars, rules and
regulation or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
Sec. 15. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared
unconstitutional or invalid, other parts or provision hereof not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.
Sec. 16. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication
in the official gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. Approved,