SENATOR Risa Hontiveros on Monday called on the Bureau of Internal Revenue to revoke the tax hike of 25 percent imposed on private schools.

The senator warned that the tax increase could force schools to close and displace more students.

“Hindi naman basta-bastang negosyo ang mga private schools. Hindi lang kita nila ang matatamaan sa tax rate na ito. May mga guro na baka hindi na makapagturo at may mga estudyanteng mapipilitang mag-adjust kung sakaling magsara ang paralaan at kailangang mag-transfer. Isang malaking adjustment na nga ang online learning, tapos bigla pa nating babaguhin ang komunidad nila?” Hontiveros asked.

The senator backed the position of the Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations of the Philippines that private schools be entitled to a 1 percent tax from July 1, 2020 until June 30, 2023 as provided by the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises  law.

“Our private educational institutions are in dire need of a lifeline. Ang mga paaralan ay isa sa mga institusyong dapat ay unang-una nating inililigtas kapag may krisis. Punom-puno na nga ang ating mga public schools, hirap na rin ang mga guro doon, kaya sana ang pagsuporta sa mga private schools ay maibigay natin,” Hontiveros said.

The COCOPEA said that private schools have not recovered from the debilitating effects of the K-12 law and from the pandemic.

Enrollment in private schools declined by 50 percent, which is equivalent to two million students.

Hontiveros said that there are also smaller and mission-driven private schools that serve the needs of remote areas, and these schools need the lifeline the most.

“We cannot afford to lose more schools. We cannot further handicap our education system. Huwag na nating palalain ang pasan na problema ng mga eskwelahan, ng ating mga guro at estudyante. Sa panahong lahat ay naghihikahos, dapat nagiging mas sensitibo tayo sa pangangailangan nila. Higit sa lahat, kinabukasan ng ating mga anak ang nakasalalay dito,” Hontiveros concluded.