MANILA -- Gemalyn Lascano had to stop studying in a private school as her parents could no longer support her studies.

But she became hopeful upon learning that the prohibition on the "no permit, no exam" policy is now a law.

"Sa ngayon po kasi ang hirap ng sitwasyon sa sobrang mahal ng bilihin. Nahihirapan ang mga magulang natin dahil sa pinansyal, lalo na sa budget sa pag-aaral ng anak nila," Lascano told ABS-CBN News. 

Students like Lascano will benefit from the Republic Act 11984 or "No Permit, No Exam Prohibition Act", which mandates public and private schools to allow students who are unable to pay tuition and other fees to still take their periodic and final exams.

A student needs a "necessary certificate on the disadvantaged status" from the Department of Social Welfare Development (DSWD).

"Provided, That the Municipal, City or Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer, or the Regional Office of the [DSWD], as the case may be, shall 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 to be issued by the DSWD," read Section 4 of the law.

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"The crafting of the IRR (implementing rules and regulations) will be led by DSWD, and siguro magkakaroon ng chance ang DepEd, CHED, and TESDA sa crafting na iyan. And we will make sure na may mga safeguard measures tayo para hindi maabuso iyong pagi-issue ng certificate," Education Deputy Spokesperson Asec. Francis Bringas said in a press conference.

Administrative sanctions may be imposed on educational institutions found violating the law, instead of fines, which were first stated in an earlier version of the law.

"Kaya lang sa final version na pinirmahan na pinirmahan ng ating Presidente (Marcos), nawala na iyong fine na iyan. We don't know what happened but that is the result of the final version of the law na lumabas. But, definitely, doon sa ating mga sanctions na ibibigay sa mga erring schools or erring teachers, meron naman tayong existing manual of operations for private schools... For example, suspension ng kanilang permit or revocation of their permit, or downgrading of their recognition to permit," Bringas explained.

'DILUTED' LAW

For Kabataan Partylist Rep. Raoul Manuel, the requirement for a DSWD certificate of "disadvantaged students", and a "diluted" sanction for violators are the roadblocks to complete happiness on the passage of the law.

"Dahil nandyan na iyong batas at ang magiging leg room na lang natin kumbaga ay iyong IRR so sana, hindi na maging sobrang higpit iyong mga requirements. Lalo na't alam natin sa maraming processs ng government para maka-avail ng assistance para matulungan. Ang dami pang hinihinging mga papel or maraming dapat patunayan," Manuel said in an interview on ANC.

Sen. Ramon Revilla, who is the principal author of the law, lauded its passage, saying no child should be fearful of not being able to take an exam or to graduate because of financial difficulties.

"Salat man ang kanilang bulsa, hindi naman magiging salat ang kanilang kaalaman. Let us continue to advocate for the Filipino youth so that they may reach greater heights. Wala dapat kabataang nangangamba na hindi makapag-exam, o kaya naman ay hindi maka-graduate, dahil lamang sa kakulangan ng salapi. Poverty should never cripple them and shatter their dreams," Revilla said in a statement.

For a group of private schools, this is a welcome development--striking a balance between the welfare of students and the protection of schools.

"Kasi ang mga schools ay pwede pa ring mangkolekta or mag-require ng timely payment from students and parents. On the part of students, kasi ang kadalasan naririnig natin na sinasabi ng students, if hindi sila makapag-enrol kasabay ng classmates or ng kanilang batch e nahihiya sila, may certain mental effect sa kanila, napapahiya sila... Ia-allow ang ating disadvantaged students na makapag-exam pa rin, provided na payagan sila ng school if may justifiable reason sila or mag-present sila ng DSWD certificate," said Atty. Kristine Carmina Manaoag, legal counsel of Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations of the Philippines (COCOPEA), on Teleradyo Serbisyo.

"Ang kailangan lang naman ipakita is kung anong circumstance nila at that time... Iyong justifiable reasons it's, in a way, flexible terms... Gusto ko laging ginagawang example iyong ating OFW parents... delayed makapag-remit," Manaoag added. 

The National Parent Teacher Association also supports the law, saying the implementing rules and regulations should be clear as there are students who are already qualified for the subsidy or voucher programs offered to public school students who want to study in private schools.