No permit, no exam’ law now takes effect

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City South District Representative Edu Rama hopes the newly-signed ‘No Permit, No Exam' Prohibition Act would bring more inspiration to Cebuano students to study harder for a better future.

Rama, one of the principal authors of the Congress’ version of this bill, happily announced the signing into law by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. last March 11.

“Malipayon nato nga ipahibalo sa mga kaigsuonan nato nga nga Sugbuanon hilabi na sa mga estudyante nga hingpit nang nahimong balaod ang Republic Act (RA) 11984, or the “No Permit, No Exam Prohibition Act,” Cong.Rama said in a statement.

The ‘No permit, No exam’ prohibition act covers all public and private basic (K to 12) institutions, higher education institutions, and technical vocational institutions (TVIs).

“All public and private educational institutions covered by this Act are hereby mandated to accommodate and allow Disadvantaged Students unable to pay tuition and other fees to take the periodic and final examinations without requiring a permit,” the law states.

“Provided, however, that in the case of K to 12 students, the mandate shall be for the entire school year.”

“Kini nga balaod naghatag og katungod sa tanang pampubliko ug pribado nga mga estudyante sa K12, kolehiyo, o bisan sa pa sa mga institusyon sa technical-vocational nga maka-exam bisan og wala pa makabayad sa ilahang tuition,” Rama said.

Municipal, city and provincial social welfare and development officers, or the regional office of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) are tasked to issue the necessary certificate on the disadvantaged status of the student due to calamities, emergencies, force majeure, and other good or justifiable reasons in accordance with the rules and regulations (IRR) issued by the DSWD.

The DSWD, in consultation with all relevant stakeholders will promulgate the rules and regulations (IRR) defining “Disadvantaged Student” and the criteria and requirements for the effectivity of the issuance of necessary certifications by different entities involved to effectively carry out the law.

The Act shall be without prejudice to the right and power of the educational institutions to require the submission of a promissory note, withhold records and credential of students and such other legal and administrative remedies available to them for the collection of unpaid fees.

All covered public and private educational institutions found guilty of violating Section 4 of the Act shall be subject to administrative sanctions that may be imposed by the Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

 “Mahinungdanon kini alang sa atong mga nurturing nga mga estudyante tungod kay dili na rason ug dili na babag sa ilahang pag-eskwela nga wala sila’y pang-tuition bag-o maka-take og exam,” Rama said.

More importantly, Rep. Rama hopes this will inspire Cebuano students to continue their studies.

“Nanghinaot kita nga kining balaod mas makahatag pa og inspirasyon sa atong mga Sugbuanong estudyante nga magpadayon sa ilahang pag-eskwela aron mas mahulma pa ang ilahang kaugmaon,” he said.