PASIG CITY Rep. Roman Romulo has filed a resolution urging all local government units to pass an ordinance waiving all regulatory fees imposed on private educational institutions.

Granting such a waiver would provide educational institutions and their employees reprieve from the impact of the Covid19 pandemic, he pointed out.

This will also ensure continuity of quality education for all learners through sustainable operations.

Romulo said that while the Local Government Code of 1991 provides that the power to impose tax, fee or charge or to generate revenue shall be exercised by the sanggunian of the LGU, the law also allows LGUs to grant through ordinances tax exemptions, incentives or relief as they may deem necessary.

“Physical distancing and community quarantine being among the measures employed to contain the spread of the Covid19, various sectors, including the education sector, were greatly affected, thereby causing slowdown of business operations and unemployment,” he said in the resolution.

Romulo cited records from the Department of Education that around 865 private schools have shut down, affecting more than 3,000 teachers and 40,000 students.

“There are 409,757 teachers, faculty and school personnel in private education institutions all over the country who are either on reduced pay or not being paid at all because of the cessation of work,” he said.