The Makabayan Bloc at the House of Representatives on Friday filed a bill proposing P10,000 in cash aid for students affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The bloc, composed of Reps. Sarah Jane Elago of Kabataan, Carlos Zarate, Eufemia Cullamat, and Ferdinand Gaite of Bayan Muna, France Castro of ACT Teachers, and Arlene Brosas of Gabriela filed the proposed Emergency Student Aid and Relief Act.
The bloc proposed P5,000 financial aid for students’ tuition and other education-related expenses and another P5,000 given to students as subsidy for online and modular learning expenses.
“For immediate relief under the COVID-19 pandemic, this bill contains a one-time cash subsidy of P10,000 for each student as well as those who dropped out during the pandemic,” the bloc said in the bill.
The bill also proposed the implementation of the “Student Aid Program” where students shall receive aid in cash upon declaration by the national government of a national emergency or any declaration to that effect.
Under the bill, students shall receive financial assistance for tuition and other education-related expenses of at least P1,000 per month during national emergencies.
This is apart from at least P1,000 per month that shall be received by students as a subsidy for online and modular learning expenses.
The measure “seeks to institutionalize an emergency student aid and relief system during times of national emergency or crisis to assist Filipino students and youth in their expenses related to alternative modes of learning, including tuition, other school fees, gadgets, and internet connectivity, among others,” the bloc said.
The bill also provides for a moratorium on tuition and other school fee increases, as well as a waiver of student loans incurred during an emergency or crisis.