SENATOR Manuel ‘Lito’ Lapid has filed a bill which seeks to provide relief to student-beneficiaries of the Free Higher Education and Free Technical-Vocational Education and Training programs under Republic Act 10931.

Section 6 of Republic Act 10931 or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act lists exceptions to free education.

The law states that ineligible students should pay tuition and other school fees.

In State Universities and Colleges and Local Universities and Colleges, students who fail to complete their bachelor’s degree or comparable undergraduate degree within a year after the period prescribed in their program are not eligible for the program.

Meanwhile, those enrolled in Technical Vocational schools who fail in any course are disqualified for free tuition.

Lapid’s Senate Bill 2141 seeks to exempt students from ineligibilities if proven that the ground/s arose from circumstances such as, but not limited to, financial distress, lack of proper and adequate remote learning resources, mental health issues, contracting a disease or disability and other situations related to a national or local emergency lasting for three months or more.

With the Covid19 pandemic still raging, Lapid stressed that the Free Tertiary Education Act should be amended.

“Napakahalaga na masiguro natin na kahit sa gitna ng hirap at pagsubok na dulot ng pandemyang ito, dapat na tuloy-tuloy ang edukasyon at pag-aaral ng ating mga kabataan lalo’t  kasama ang mga nasa kolehiyo,” he said.

“Sa gitna ng problema sa panggastos, kawalan ng trabaho at ang pagtama ng sakit sa pami-pamilya, dapat na siguruhin ng ating gobyerno na tuloy lang ang edukasyon sa ating nakababatang populasyon at hindi mapipilitang bumitaw sa pag-aaral ang mga nasa kolehiyo,” he added.

The senator further said that all efforts must be made to help students remain enrolled and in school.

The relief granted by the bill  shall retroactively apply to students affected by the public health emergency declared by the President.

“Bilang isang mambabatas, naiintindihan ko ang pinagdadaanang hirap ng ating mga estudyante lalo na sa kolehiyo. Matindi rin ang pagsubok maging sa kanilang mga pamilya sa gitna ng pandemyang ito. Higit isang taon na tayong nilulugmok ng pandemyang ito at malamang marami na tayong mga mag-aaral sa kolehiyo kasama na ang mga tech-voc students ang napilitan nang hindi muna mag-enroll ng isa o dalawang semestre dahil na rin na kakulangan sa pera,” Lapid explained.

“Ang ilan maaaring naka-enroll man pero sa kasamaang palad ay hindi naipasa ang kanilang klase sa hirap na rin ng distance learning set-up. Kaya isinusulong ko ang panukalang magbibigay sa kanila ng dagdag na oportunidad para manatili sila sa paaralan at patuloy silang makatanggap ng edukasyon,” he added.