EXTENDS SCHOLARSHIP FUND COVERAGE

Pasig gov’t temporarily waives private school regulatory fees

The Pasig City government passed an ordinance waiving all regulatory fees for private schools until face-to-face classes are allowed and extended the coverage of its scholarship fund, Mayor Vico Sotto said Sunday.

Under Ordinance No. 22 S. 2020, all private educational institutions in the basic, secondary, tertiary, and postgraduate level in Pasig will no longer have to pay regulatory fees they owe to the local government until the national government permits the resumption of face-to-face classes.

“We know private schools are having a difficult time too, and some are in danger of closing. Many of their students can't afford tuition anymore. This puts our public school system in danger of overcrowding,” Sotto said on Facebook.

However, the ordinance stated that the waiving of fees “does not mean that private educational institutions shall forego the process of renewing their permits with the local government.”

The mayor also announced the extension of the city’s scholarship fund to cover 3,000 indigent private school students.

“The schools will help us identify the beneficiaries,” he said.

There are at least 194 private educational institutions in Pasig City, according to its official website.

The Department of Education earlier moved the school opening from August 24 to October 5, but later clarified that private schools may open at an earlier date as long as only distance learning methods will be employed. — DVM, GMA News