THE House of Representatives has approved on second reading a measure seeking to impose a moratorium on student loan payments during calamities, disasters, crises, and other emergencies.

The solons approved House Bill 9978 suspending the payment of all fees, charges, and other charges on loans for higher education and technical-vocational education during emergencies.

The bill will cover all students residing in areas declared to be under a state of calamity or emergency, including pupils enrolled in state universities and colleges, local universities and colleges, private HEIs, and public and private technical-vocational institutions.

It further provides that the utilization of the moratorium shall not adversely affect the status of the concerned students regarding their eligibility for re-enrollment in the succeeding semesters or terms, or their eligibility for graduation

It can be recalled that last February, the Senate Committee on Higher, Technical and Vocational Education approved Senate Bill 1864 or the proposed Student Loan Payment Moratorium During Disasters and Emergencies Act. All students enrolled in State and Local Universities and Colleges, private Higher Educational Institutions and public and private Technological and Vocational Institute located in areas under state of calamity shall be covered by the moratorium.

The moratorium shall be effective for the duration of the state of calamity or emergency and 30 days after the lifting of such state of calamity or emergency.

The report also stressed that the availment of the payment moratorium shall not adversely effect the status of the students concerned with regard to their eligibility for re-enrollment or graduation.