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Clarity on the taxation of educational institutions

Education is one of the most important pillars of any developing nation. No less than the 1987 Philippine Constitution itself mandates that the State prioritize education to foster patriotism and nationalism, accelerate social progress, and promote total human liberation and development. For almost two years now, we have been experiencing mobility restrictions with varying degrees of severity due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In responding to this situation, our educational systems have had to adapt, even as pilot testing for face-to-face classes in some localities had to be scrapped due to the sudden surge in COVID cases.

In recognition of their role in providing a public good, educational institutions are granted certain tax privileges under the Constitution and the Tax Code.

NONSTOCK NONPROFIT EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS
Under Article XIV, Section 4 (3) of the Constitution, all revenue and assets of nonstock nonprofit educational institutions used actually, directly and exclusively for educational purposes are exempt from taxes and duties. As established clearly by jurisprudence (G.R. Nos. 196596, 198841, and 198941), the tax exemption of revenue and assets of nonstock nonprofit educational institutions hinges on whether these are used actually, directly and exclusively for educational purposes.

In one decision (G.R. No. 202792), the Supreme Court upheld such constitutional exemption in canceling the deficiency tax assessments of an educational institution, even if the latter belatedly paid the docket fees with the Court of Tax Appeals upon filing its judicial appeal. According to the high court, while procedural rules are important tools designed to facilitate the dispensation of justice, legal technicalities may be excused when strict adherence will impede the achievement of justice it seeks to serve.

PROPRIETARY EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS
Educational institutions can also be organized as stock corporations, classified as proprietary educational institutions. In contrast with nonstock nonprofit educational institutions, proprietary educational institutions are not covered by the aforementioned broad tax exemptions on their revenue and assets as mandated by the Constitution. Nonetheless, the Constitution provides that they can be conferred tax privileges subject to limitations provided by law, including restrictions on dividends and provisions for reinvestment.

Such tax privileges are granted under Section 27(B) of the Tax Code, which provides for a special lower corporate income tax rate for proprietary educational institutions and hospitals alike. The lower rate is generally 10%, but pursuant to Republic Act No. 11534 (more commonly known as the CREATE Act), the rate is temporarily reduced to 1% effective July 1, 2020 until June 30, 2023 to provide relief for schools and hospitals that have been severely affected by the COVID pandemic.

However, in implementing the CREATE Act’s temporary tax relief, there was confusion as to what qualifies as a proprietary educational institution subject to the special tax rate under the Tax Code. In Revenue Regulations No. 5-2021, proprietary educational institutions were defined and qualified as referring to nonprofit private schools. This confusion apparently arose from the original wording in the Tax Code:

“(B) Proprietary Educational Institutions and Hospitals. — Proprietary educational institutions and hospitals which are nonprofit shall pay a tax of ten percent (10%) on their taxable income . . .” (Underscore supplied.)

It seems that the nonprofit requirement for the special tax rate was interpreted to cover both proprietary educational institutions and hospitals. Such interpretation in the regulations created a seemingly absurd situation wherein the lower tax is conferred to an essentially non-existent category of schools. As previously mentioned, proprietary educational institutions include stock corporations that are, by their nature, organized as profit-oriented companies. A nonprofit proprietary educational institution could be considered an oxymoron or a contradiction of terms. Understandably, there was a clamor from the education sector to rectify the erroneous interpretation. Thus, Revenue Regulations No. 14-2021 were promulgated to suspend the implementation of the provisions on the “nonprofit” qualification of proprietary educational institutions.

TAX CODE AMENDMENT
Cognizant of the above controversy, our lawmakers recently passed Republic Act No. 11635, which sought to address the issue by clarifying the wording in the Tax Code itself. As amended by such law, Section 27(B) of the Tax Code now reads as follows:

“(B) Proprietary Educational Institutions and Hospitals. — Hospitals which are nonprofit and proprietary educational institutions shall pay a tax of ten percent (10%) on their taxable income . . .” (Underscore supplied.)

Thus, it is now clear that the nonprofit qualification only applies to hospitals and not to proprietary educational institutions. The latter refers to any private school maintained and administered by private individuals or groups with an issued permit to operate from the relevant government agencies (e.g., DepEd, CHED, TESDA). It is worth highlighting that, under the same Tax Code provision, to qualify for the lower rate, their gross income from unrelated trade, business, or other activity must not exceed 50% of their total gross income; otherwise, the regular corporate income tax rate (currently at 25%) applies to their entire taxable income.

More than ever, the COVID pandemic has pressed us — as individuals, as a community, and as a nation — to contemplate our priorities. While public health remains the highest priority, access to affordable education deserves equal attention. Through brilliant minds borne of education, many medical and technological breakthroughs in combating the COVID pandemic have been achieved, and countless lives are saved. This author personally hopes that the State continues to prioritize education following its constitutional mandate and enabling the education sector to contribute to nation-building through the development of future generations.

The views or opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Isla Lipana & Co. The content is for general information purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for specific advice.

 

Marion D. Castañeda is a senior manager at the Tax Services Department of Isla Lipana & Co., the Philippine member firm of the PwC network.

marion.castañeda@pwc.com

Philippines reports 492 more Omicron infections

PHILIPPINE STAR/ MICHAEL VARCAS

THE PHILIPPINES reported 492 more coronavirus infections involving the highly mutated Omicron variant, bringing the total to 535.

In a statement, the Department of Health (DoH) said 69% of 714 samples sequenced by the Philippine Genome Center on Jan. 13 to 14, tested positive for Omicron. It added that 332 of the patients were local, while 160 were returning migrant Filipinos.

The agency said 68% of the local cases were from Metro Manila, which has been struggling to contain a fresh surge in infections.

Seventy-six patients came from the Calabarzon region, 11 from Central Luzon, five from Central Visayas, two each from Cagayan Valley, Western Visayas, Davao region, Soccsksargen and the Cordillera Administrative Region, and one each from Ilocos, Mimaropa and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

The Health department said three of the new Omicron cases were still active, two have died, and 467 patients have recovered. The agency said it was verifying 20 other cases.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario S. Vergeire on Tuesday said Omicron had become the predominant variant especially in the National Capital Region.

DoH on Wednesday posted 22,958 coronavirus infections, bringing the total to 3.29 million. The death toll increased by 82 to 53,044, while recoveries rose by 36,611 to 2.97 million, it said in a bulletin.

The agency said 43.5% of 62,531 samples on Jan. 17 tested positive for COVID-19, way above the 5% threshold set by the World Health Organization (WHO).

There were 270,728 active cases, 8,335 of which did not show symptoms, 257,632 were mild, 2,970 were moderate, 1,487 severe and 304 were critical.

DoH said 94% of the latest cases occurred on Jan. 6 to 19. The top regions with new cases in the past two weeks were Metro Manila with 7,861, Calabarzon with 4,647 and Central Luzon with 2,049 infections. It added that 68% of deaths occurred in January, 10% in October and 18% in September.

Eighty-seven duplicates had been removed from the tally, 64 of which were reclassified as recoveries, while 32 recoveries were relisted as deaths. Six laboratories failed to submit data on Jan. 17.

DoH also reported 115 more Delta infections, bringing the total to 8,612. Of these, 88 were local and 27 were returning migrant Filipinos. The variant first detected in India nearly exhausted the country’s health system last year.

Of the latest Delta cases, two were still active, two have died and 107 have recovered, the DoH said.

It added that the country now had 3,170 cases of the Alpha variant after a new case of the virus type first detected in the United Kingdom was also found among the samples.

DoH said 49% of intensive care unit beds in the country had been used, while the rate for Metro Manila was 53%.

Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III on Tuesday said daily coronavirus infections were probably decreasing, but the country remained at critical risk from the virus.

Metro Manila, Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, the Cordillera Administrative Region, Central Luzon and Calabarzon were still under critical risk, he told a taped Cabinet meeting on Monday night.

The country had an average 314 cases from Dec. 21 to 27, spiked more than eight times with 2,592 cases from Dec. 28 to Jan. 3 and rose almost eight times with 20,462 cases the following week, Mr. Duque said.

The average daily cases rose by 71% from Jan. 11 to Jan. 17, he said, adding that infections have started to plateau.

Daily infections in the country have reached a record this month amid the spread of the heavily mutated Omicron variant.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire on Tuesday said coronavirus infections in various regions have been increasing.

She also cited a steep increase in hospital admissions in Metro Manila in the past week, noting that 60% of hospital beds in the capital region were occupied.

Ms. Vergeire said it was too early to say that coronavirus infections in Metro Manila were decreasing. The Health department does not look at daily changes in COVID-19 data because it could be influenced by certain variables such as laboratory submissions, she told ABS-CBN TeleRadyo.

She said cases remained high. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

Ban on unvaccinated commuters confusing, according to senators

PHILIPPINE STAR/ MICHAEL VARCAS

SENATORS on Wednesday said a government ban on unvaccinated commuters in public transportation in Metro Manila is confusing, after the Transportation department exempted workers from the rule.

“Obviously, the idea did not go through contemplation,” Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III said in a Viber message. “Swashbuckling at the very least.”

Labor Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III said workers were exempted from the ban, which lawmakers said prevents Filipinos who have not been vaccinated against the coronavirus from rendering essential services.

As of Tuesday, only 56.03 million of about 108 million Filipinos have been fully vaccinated against the coronavirus.

Senator Panfilo M. Lacson, Sr. said the exemption was announced belatedly, and after many commuters had suffered from the ban.

“Since the start of the pandemic in our country in early 2020, our government’s action has always been reactive and late,” he said in a statement. “Those affected by the policy may avail of legal remedies like a class suit, but that is if they are prepared for a protracted legal battle.”

Mr. Lacson, who is running for president in tandem with Mr. Sotto, said the country needs “proactive leadership with a science-based and data-driven approach to beat this pandemic.”

Senator Sherwin T. Gatchalian said it would be better to lift the ban. “All of those taking public transportation are workers anyway,” he tweeted.

Senator Richard J. Gordon urged the government to reconsider the policy because millions of Filipinos have yet to be fully vaccinated.

“I’m not really in favor of that,” he said in a statement in mixed English and Filipino. “I’ll tell you at the outset, that is against the poor.”

He said the government should instead intensify its vaccination drive, noting that many unvaccinated Filipinos are poor.

A resolution was filed in the House of Representatives on Tuesday by a women’s party-list group calling on the chamber to investigate the legal basis of one of the transportation department’s pandemic policies. 

Transportation Secretary Arthur P. Tugade on Jan. 11 issued an order limiting public transportation access to vaccinated people in the National Capital Region (NCR) under Alert Level 3 or higher. The ban took effect on Jan. 17.

The policy applies to all public domestic travel within Metro Manila by land, sea and air. It does not apply to people who have not been vaccinated against the coronavirus for medical reasons.

Passengers must show physical or digital copies of their vaccine cards issued by their local governments or by the Department of Health.

Drivers and operators who fail to enforce the ban face fines of P1,000 to P10,000. They may also get suspended or their franchise revoked.

Violators may be punished under city ordinances that bar them from going out and other laws.

Meanwhile, the Gabriela Women’s Party filed a resolution urging the House of Representatives to probe the ban.

Party-list Rep. Arlene D. Brosas said the ban stirs up fear and discriminates against unvaccinated passengers. She also said drivers and jeepney operators would lose money because of the ban.

“The people are already tired and are having a hard time with dysfunctional transportation,” she said in a statement. “The government will make things worse for them through this no vax, no ride policy.”

Ms. Brosas said the ban is illegal and has no scientific basis.

The lawmaker said that under the COVID-19 Vaccination Act, vaccine cards should not be required for work, schools and other government transactions. “This is too much. This policy should be abolished.” — Alyssa Nicole O. Tan and Jaspearl Emerald G. Tan

Ballot printing delayed, says Comelec 

WIKIMEDIA

PRINTING of ballots for the May elections has been delayed due to “technical factors,” the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said on Wednesday. 

“The printing committee, taking into consideration various technical factors, has moved the start of printing to a date yet to be announced,” Comelec spokesman James B. Jimenez told reporters in a Viber message. 

He earlier said printing would start this week. 

The ballots were in the final stage of proofreading, Comelec Deputy Executive Director Helen C. Aguila-Flores told reporters on Tuesday, adding that printing would cost P1.3 billion. She said printing would finish between April 12 and 21. 

Comelec would print 67.4 million ballots — 65.7 million for local and 1.7 million for overseas voting, she said. 

Ballots for the national and local elections would contain 178 party-list, 64 senatorial, nine vice-presidential and 10 presidential candidates, said Ms. Flores, who gave a virtual walkthrough of the National Printing Office in Quezon City. — John Victor D. Ordoñez 

Gov’t eyes streamlined travel process

The Anti-Red Tape Authority has partnered with several agencies to streamline the process for local travel amid a coronavirus pandemic. 

It signed a joint memorandum circular with the Interior and Local Government, Transportation, Science and Technology, Tourism, Health and Information and Communications Technology departments seeking to simplify domestic travel requirements. 

Under the circular, local governments must use a so-called S-Pass (Safe, Swift and Smart Passage) to facilitate travel to areas within their jurisdiction, ARTA Deputy Director-General Ernesto V. Perez told an online briefing on Wednesday. 

The pass would become a one-stop-shop for travel applications, he added. 

Local governments must process applications through the S-Pass in 24 hours, otherwise they would be deemed approved, Mr. Perez said.  

“All terminals, ports and airports are mandated to check or approve S-Pass travel permits from passengers going through other places, using the S-Pass QR scanners for authorities,” he added. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave  

Government workers get COVID leave benefit

PHILIPPINE STAR/ MICHAEL VARCAS

GOVERNMENT employees who contract coronavirus disease or become probable cases in line with official duty can take time off from work during the quarantine, isolation and treatment period without being charged from their leave credits, the Civil Service Commission (CSC) announced Wednesday.

The new policy, which previously applied only to health workers, is contained in a memorandum issued Jan. 18. The leave period will be considered an “excused absence,” according to the commission. 

CSC said “there is a need to consider the predicament of government workers aside from PHWs (public health workers) who are repeatedly exposed to COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) in performing their official duties due to face-to-face interaction with clients and co-workers, or due to community transmission.” 

Those who are probable cases or asymptomatic and undergoing the required quarantine while waiting for the result of the swab test “may be required to adopt a Work-from-Home arrangement depending on the nature of work of the employee” based on existing guidelines on remote work.

For officials and employees who go on personal travel, “only the required quarantine period may be excused, while the isolation and/or treatment period shall be charged against leave credits,” CSC said.

The memorandum enumerates the required documents to be presented upon returning to work. Human resource departments are tasked to monitor the implementation of the COVID-related leaves. 

Office heads, meanwhile, are directed “to ensure that efficiency and productivity work standards are met, and that delivery of public service is not prejudiced during the required quarantine, isolation, and/or treatment of concerned officials and employees,” the commission said. — Marifi S. Jara

Gov’t mulls incentives for vaccinators in pharmacies

PHILIPPINE STAR/ MICHAEL VARCAS

THE NATIONAL government is looking at possible incentives for vaccinators who will participate in inoculation drives in select drugstores, a pandemic official said on Wednesday. 

Vaccination against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in designated pharmacies and clinics will start in Metro Manila on Jan. 20 and 21, and the program will later be expanded nationwide.

“We are discussing that now because pharmacies have volunteered to provide their service and we thank them for that,” Vivencio B. Dizon, deputy chief implementer of the country’s pandemic plan, told a televised news briefing in Filipino on Wednesday. 

“We are now talking with the Department of Health on the possible incentives that we could give especially to the pharmacists in drugstores,” he added. 

Among the drug stores and clinics tapped by the government for its so-called Resbakuna sa mga Botika program are Generika Drugstore, Healthway, Mercury Drug, QualiMed Health Network, Southstar Drug, The Generics Pharmacy, and Watsons.

Mr. Dizon said the pilot run will be held to assess the capacity of pharmacies to conduct vaccinations.

“We will assess the pilot after one week,” he said. “Then we will determine how the program can be expanded to other areas in the country.”

The presidential palace earlier said the pilot run will only cater to recipients of booster shots, noting that the initial implementation will be expanded accordingly. 

The Philippines has so far fully vaccinated more than 56 million people as of Jan. 18, while 59.26 million have received an initial dose, data from the Health department showed. About 5.36 million booster shots have been administered as of Tuesday, it added. 

ANTIGEN TEST
Meanwhile, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) pressed for the immediate certification of home antigen test kits amid the surge in local coronavirus cases. 

Trade Secretary Ramon M. Lopez, in a virtual session of Power Mornings on Wednesday, said the DTI wants the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to fast-track the accreditation of home antigen test kits for COVID-19 so that the products could be officially sold across drugstores. 

According to Mr. Lopez, there have been proposals since last year for the use of self-administered antigen test kits as a means of self-regulation to help prevent transmissions. 

“This is our way really to not overwhelm the testing facilities. I believe (that) in the new normal, it is up to us to test ourselves before we go out to big crowds and attend big events or gatherings,” Mr. Lopez said. 

“I believe that the COVID-19 vaccine is to protect ourselves but home-testing/self-testing is to protect others. If we don’t feel well and then we test positive using the home antigen test kit, we should not be allowed to go out anymore,” he added.

During a recent taped meeting of President Rodrigo R. Duterte with his Cabinet, FDA Director-General Oscar G. Gutierrez, Jr. disclosed that there are nine additional applications from antigen test kit manufacturers for a special certification that will allow the home use of the products. 

Mr. Gutierrez said the nine new applications brought the overall pending applications to 11, which were forwarded to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) for testing. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza and Revin Mikhael D. Ochave 

DoTr eyeing transport terminals as vaccination sites

PHILIPPINE STAR/ MICHAEL VARCAS

THE TRANSPORTATION department on Wednesday said that it is considering using integrated transport terminals, train stations and expressways as vaccination sites.

“We are already exploring that possibility… We are mostly looking at the integrated terminals for the road transport. We are also looking at the other stations for the rail transport,” Transportation Undersecretary Artemio U. Tuazon, Jr. told ANC’s Headstart. 

He said Transportation Secretary Arthur P. Tugade had also instructed the Toll Regulatory Board to “see if we can have vaccination sites along the expressways.”

“They are now studying it whether we can implement it.” 

The department started enforcing on Monday a “no vaccination, no ride/no entry” policy across all forms of public transport in the National Capital Region (NCR).

On Jan. 11, Mr. Tugade issued Department Order No. 2022-001, limiting public transportation access to vaccinated individuals in the NCR while under Alert Level 3 or higher. 

The policy applies to all domestic travel to, from, and within the NCR via public transportation by land, sea, and air, according to the order. It also covers public transportation for individuals who reside outside the NCR “but work and/or travel to the same.” 

The department clarified on Tuesday that workers are exempted from the policy.

“An employee of an industry allowed to operate under Alert Level 3 can still board public transport, even if unvaccinated, provided that he/she can present proof that he/she is going to work,” Transportation Assistant Secretary Goddes Hope O. Libiran said in a statement. — Arjay L. Balinbin 

Senators slams DA over fish import for typhoon-hit areas

BFAR-REGION 8

SENATORS on Wednesday slammed the Agriculture department’s approval to import 60,000 metric tons (MT) of fish for areas affected by last month’s typhoon. 

“Sure, go import more! After killing our farmers by importing vegetables and fruits, it is the turn of our fishermen to die,” Senator Panfilo M. Lacson, Sr., who is running for president in the May elections, said in a mix of English and Filipino on Twitter.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) authorized on Tuesday the imports of frozen small pelagic fish, noting the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources’ (BFAR) projection of a fish shortfall of 119,000 MT in the first quarter of 2022.

“Stop that importation!” said Senator Maria Imelda “Imee” R. Marcos in a Viber message.

“There’s at least 35,000 MT still unsold from 2021 importation plus those still to be delivered for quarter one of 2022! You will kill local fisheries,” she said, citing data from the National Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council.  

Using the same data, Asis G. Perez, former BFAR director and convenor of Tugon Kabuhayan, said he agrees with the multi-sectoral council’s position that another batch of imports is unnecessary.

“There is no need to import owing to the fact that there are still fish left in the cold storage,” Mr. Perez said in a call with BusinessWorld.

Meanwhile, Senator Emmanuel “Manny” D. Pacquiao, Sr., who is also eyeing the presidency, called the Agriculture department’s decision “unbelievable” as it will cause suffering to fisherfolk. 

“We should be the ones exporting fish, especially fishes like galunggong (Blackfin scad) and mackerel because the Philippines has a lot of those. How did it happen that we are the ones importing now even though we have so many Filipino fishermen?” he added. 

Senator Francis “Kiko” N. Pangilinan, a candidate for vice president, said in a Viber message that the department’s move is proof of the government’s neglect of the sector. He called it “unfortunate” that the country remains “seafood insecure.” — Alyssa Nicole O. Tan

12 towns in Southern Leyte found to have contaminated water post-typhoon Odette

@PROVINCIALGOVERNMENTOFSOUTHERNLEYTE

A DOZEN of the 18 towns and one city in Southern Leyte have been found to have contaminated water supply with bacteria levels that make it unsafe for drinking, according to the regional health office.

The office, in a statement issued Tuesday night, said the findings are based on water analysis conducted after typhoon Odette, internationally known as Rai, struck on Dec. 16. 

“The Department of Health’s Eastern Visayas Center for Health Development conducted water assessment to determine the status of household drinking water and water refilling stations after the onslaught of Typhoon Odette,” it said. 

The health office appealed to “national, provincial, regional, municipal” authorities to help provide interim supply for affected communities as well as assist in fixing the distribution facilities. 

The 12 towns, which the office did not immediately disclose, all have a Level III water system, which means a piped distribution network with individual household connections and a treatment facility.

Typhoon Odette swept through central and southern parts of the Philippines, leaving widespread infrastructure damage, including utility facilities such as for water distribution. — MSJ 

1Sambayan coalition endorses 7 senatorial bets of Robredo camp

OPPOSITION coalition 1Sambayan on Wednesday endorsed seven of the 12 senatorial candidates of presidential aspirant Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” G. Robredo, excluding in the list personalities who have been considered as enablers of the current administration. 

Howard M. Calleja, one of the group’s convenors, said in a virtual forum that the pro-democracy coalition would endorse lawyer and author Alex L. Lacson, labor leader Jose Sonny G. Matula, human rights lawyer Jose Manuel “Chel” I. Diokno,  Senators Leila M. de Lima and Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel, ex-senator Antonio F. Trillanes IV, and former House representative Teodoro “Teddy” B. Baguilat, Jr.

Mr. Calleja, a lawyer, said the group would announce its full senatorial slate at a political event on Jan. 28. “The lineup is still open to accommodate more candidates.” 

1Sambayan, formed by former government officials and members of groups from across the Philippine political spectrum, has yet to endorse the senatorial candidacy of lawyer and activist Neri J. Colmenares, who was among the group’s convenors before he filed his candidacy papers in October.

Mr. Colmenares, who has been calling for a united opposition to defeat administration bets in the May elections, was not included in Ms. Robredo’s Senate list. 

The other senatorial bets under Ms. Robredo’s Senate slate are former vice president Jejomar C. Binay, Sr., Sorsogon Governor Francis Joseph “Chiz” G. Escudero, and Senators Richard J. Gordon, Emmanuel Joel Villanueva, and Juan Miguel “Migz” F. Zubiri. 

Mr. Colmenares is a former Bayan Muna Party-list lawmaker. Bayan Muna is part of the progressive House bloc Makabayan, which has been endorsing presidential candidates based on platforms and common advocacies.

Some members of the opposition movement earlier alleged that Makabayan had refused to publicly support the presidential candidacy of Ms. Robredo.

The left-wing political bloc, however, said it has yet to endorse any presidential candidate because it was still in the process of consulting candidates on platforms and programs “while pushing for the broadest possible unity to defeat Duterte and Marcos.”

Meanwhile, Ms. Robredo said in a press release on Tuesday night that she has asked the Commission on Elections to allow her office “to continue with its COVID-19 pandemic response even during the official campaign period,” which begins on Feb. 8. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

Solons welcome return of in-person classes but want DepEd to take further steps

PHILIPPINE STAR/ MICHAEL VARCAS

MEMBERS of the House of Representatives welcomed the Education department’s move allowing limited face-to-face classes in areas that are under the two lowest alert levels for coronavirus, but at the same time called on the agency to include more measures to make learning more accessible and safer for students. 

Kabataan Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago called on the Department of Education (DepEd) to allocate more subsidies for schools to ensure implementation of safety protocols.

Under the Philippine COVID-19 alert level system, 5 is the strictest while 1 is the most relaxed and only minimal safety health protocols need to be followed. 

Under the most recent DepEd guideline, areas under Alert 1 and 2 are allowed to resume in-person classes. 

DepEd had a test run of limited physical classes last year from Nov. 15 to Dec. 22. Around 287 schools joined the simulation. 

“There must be additional subsidies available for schools to implement all the necessary COVID-19 mitigation and prevention strategies including free testing and WASH (water, sanitation, hygiene) facilities to allow and encourage the safe and voluntary return of students, teachers and staff in their campuses,” she said in a statement. 

Albay Rep. Jose Ma. Clemente “Joey” S. Salceda, meanwhile, suggested an expanded access to the Alternative Learning System (ALS). 

“…We need to increase access to the Alternative Learning System. This has been one of the most effective anti-poverty measures of the DepEd,” he said in a statement. 

“The ALS has been a very attractive path for learners who cannot afford to go to conventional school but want to attain diplomas. That source of demand has increased during the pandemic.” 

Mr. Salceda noted that there is around P599 million allocated in the national budget that could be used for supporting alternative learning programs and P14.7 billion set aside in the DepEd budget for flexible learning materials. 

He also recommended that the DepEd create a catch-up plan for the learning gaps caused by the pandemic, similar to the National Recovery Plan for economic growth and job recovery. 

ACT-Teachers Rep. France L. Castro, for her part, suggested several health measures such as the mass hiring of school nurses and providing weekly free COVID-19 testing for teachers and school staff. 

“Government should ramp up its plans and prepare our schools for the safe reopening of classes to also boost the nation’s confidence and allow the safe reopening of face-to-face classes,” Ms. Castro said in a statement.

“Use scientific measures and not non-sense policies to ensure that our schools are indeed safe for in-class learning. Let us not waste any more resources with barriers and never-ending lockdowns of schools,” she added.

Ms. Castro also said that DepEd should provide more support to teachers. — Jaspearl Emerald G. Tan 

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