Valenzuelanos will have an opportunity to pursue their studies at the tertiary level in public schools after the local council passed the “Valenzuela City Free Higher Education Ordinance.”
The local government passed the measure in support of the advocacy of Senator Sherwin Gatchalian and the campaign of City Mayor Rex Gatchalian for free education.
First District Councilor Rovin Andrew Feliciano, author of Ordinance 297, said that under Section 17 of the Local Government Code, the government must provide basic services including a free education in government-owned schools.
Rep. Wes Gatchalian also voiced out his support for the ordinance, citing the wide range of assistance it can offer to the students, especially the poor.
At present, the city has two college public schools: Valenzuela City Polytechnic College (ValPoly) and the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Valenzuela (PLV), established in March 2000 and June 2002, respectively.
Based on a study by the Asian Development Bank the number of students enrolled in public schools decreases every year, due to financial issues.
Among the councilors which approved the ordinance include; Councilors Tony Espiritu, Jennifer Pingree-Esplana, Marlon Paulo Alejandrino, Ricardo Ricarr Enriquez, Ramon Encarnacion, Kimberly Ann Galang, Crissha Pineda, Lailanie Nolasco, Kristian Rome Sy and Fernando Francisco.
“All Filipino citizens and Valenzuela residents who are either currently enrolled or shall enroll in courses in pursuance of a bachelor’s degree, associate degrees or non-formal trainings in the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Valenzuela or Valenzuela City Polytechnic College or such other city university or college in the future shall be exempt from paying tuition fees for any units enrolled, unless they are disqualified under the provisions of this Ordinance,” the ordinance stated.
“For purposes of this Ordinance, full tuition subsidy shall cover tuition fee and miscellaneous fee only. All other fees not mentioned herein shall not be covered by the full tuition subsidy. The subsidy shall be sourced from the General Fund of the City Government of Valenzuela. To this end, the City Government of Valenzuela, through the City Budget Office shall ensure that appropriate amount for the implementation of this Ordinance shall be charged against city funds in accordance with the pertinent provisions of RA No. 7160,” it added.