PRESIDENT Marcos has signed a new legislation that reflects the national government’s genuine concern over the welfare of the poor.

Everybody agrees that the poor, many of them farmers. jobless and underemployed, still comprise the bulk of the country’s population.

A “pro-poor” law, Republic Act (RA) No. 11984 bans the “no permit, no exam” policy in all public and private schools across the country._

The law, signed by President Marcos last March 11, mandates schools to allow “disadvantaged” students with unpaid fees to take the exams.

Under the legislation, it’s up to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to define “disadvantaged” students.

But the new law still allows schools to require the submission of a promissory note and that they may withhold the release of records and credentials.

During the Congressional deliberations on the proposed law last year,school owners and administrators vehemently opposed it.

“Ayon sa kanila, maraming paaralan ang mapipilitang magsara dahil umaasa lang sila sa tuition fees na ibinabayad ng mga bata,” a school employee said.

Despite the opposition, however the two-chamber Congress still approved the pro-poor legislation.

Hopefully, our legislators – senators and congressmen – come up with measures designed to address the concerns of our school owners and administrators.

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