Student Loan Moratorium bill pushed
AS the Philippines is reeling from the devastation of six powerful typhoons in just one month, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go called for swift action to ease the burden on students and families in disaster-stricken areas.
With this, Go has co-authored and co-sponsored Senate Bill No. 1864, or the proposed Student Loan Payment Moratorium During Disasters and Emergencies Act, which is now awaiting the President’s approval to become law.
“Hindi na biro ang hirap na dinaranas ng ating mga kababayan. Sunod-sunod na bagyo, baha, at kawalang katiyakan sa kinabukasan. Hindi natin hahayaang maging dagdag-pasanin pa ang student loans sa gitna ng ganitong kalamidad,” Go said.
The proposed law promises to deliver urgent financial relief by suspending student loan payments during and after disasters, allowing students and families to breathe easier as they rebuild their lives.
“Ang tanong marahil ng maraming kabataang mag-aaral: Dapang dapa kami sa delubyo, paano na ang student loan ko?” Go said.
“Kaya natin isinulong ang Student Loan Payment Moratorium During Disasters and Emergencies bill para naman mabigyan ng palugit ang mga estudyanteng may pagkakautang pero hindi makabayad dahil tinamaan ng kalamidad at iba pang sakuna,” he added.
With Typhoon Pepito marking the sixth storm to batter the country in just one month, the damage is overwhelming: over 160 lives lost, thousands of families displaced, and entire communities drowning in billions of pesos worth of destruction.
“Mga estudyante at pamilya nila, lubog ngayon sa hirap habang bumabangon sa baha. Hindi natin puwedeng hayaan na pati edukasyon nila ay malunod dahil sa hirap at pagkakautang,” Go stressed.
Go stressed that the mere fact that students needed to get loans to continue their studies show their desire to finish and attain quality education. This determination, he said, should be acknowledged and supported rather than be a burden for them to achieve their dreams.
“Bigyan natin ng sapat na pagkakataon ang kabataan na makapagtapos ng pag-aaral dahil sila ang pag-asa at future leaders ng ating bayan. Hindi dapat maging hadlang ang kahirapan para marating ang kanilang mga pangarap,” he said.
If signed into law, Senate Bill No. 1864 will defer payments for students residing in areas declared under a State of Calamity or Emergency. It will apply to loans for Higher Education and Technical-Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programs, giving Filipino students much-needed breathing room to focus on their studies.
