I GOT to watch the Senate deliberation of the DepEd’s budget for 2024, especially the verbal exchange between interpellator Sen Raffy Tulfo and budget sponsor Sen Pia Cayetano.
Tulfo was questioning the perennial problem of collecting contributions of the PTA in public elementary and high schools all over the country.
Citing the provisions of RA 5546, Tulfo said the only collections allowed are for Red Cross, Boy Scout, Girl Scout and barangay high school, all other contributions whether voluntary or otherwise are not allowed.
Just to be clear, Tulfo quoted the provision in RA 5546, to wit:
“Section 1. The sale of tickets and/or the collection of contributions in any form whatsoever, by any person for any project or purpose, whether voluntary or otherwise, from school children, students and teachers of public and private schools, colleges and universities is hereby prohibited : Provided, however, That this prohibition shall not cover membership fees of school children and students m the Red Cross, the girl scouts of the Philippines and the boy scouts of the Philippines: Provided, finally, That this Prohibition shall not cover the contributions of parents and other donors for the support of barrio high schools.”
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In response, Cayetano cited a DepEd memorandum prohibiting the collection of fees of any kind from students, but added that when the PTA collects, the school officials do not stop them because the PTA officials are guided by their own policies.
Tulfo then asked Cayetano the specific law or any law for that matter which allows the collection of contribution for various school projects like electric fans, papers, including salaries of security guards.
Cayetano did not answer.
Tulfo then cited the role of the PTA as provided under the Child and Youth Welfare Code or PD 603, to wit:
“Art. 77. Parent-Teacher Associations. – Every elementary and secondary
school shall organize a parent-teacher association for the purpose of providing a forum for the discussion of problems and their solutions, relating to the total school program, and for insuring the full cooperation of parents in the efficient implementation of such program. All parents who have children enrolled in a school are encouraged to be active members of its PTA, and to comply with whatever obligations and responsibilities such membership entails.
Parent-Teacher Association all over the country shall aid the municipal and other local authorities and school officials in the enforcement of juvenile delinquency control measures, and in the implementation of programs and activities to promote child welfare.”
Cayetano tried another tack citing a rule in statutory construction that what is not prohibited, is allowed.
To this, Senator Koko Pimentel intervened and said that in harmonizing the letter and spirit of the law (RA 5546) which prohibits the collection of contribution from students, it is important to note that while law mentions “collection from students,” the letter of the law implies collection from parents of the students. This means, he opined, that the collection of contribution by the PTA is still covered by the prohibition on collection.
The timely intervention of Senator Loren Legarda to draft a resolution to harmonize the clear intention of the law (RA 5546 on collection of contributions) viz-a-viz the DepEd memo provided a breather and Cayetano fully agrees to the proposal of Tulfo.
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Coming from a public elementary and high school, I can readily say that this collection of contributions has long been a problem of parents and pupils alike. This has become a routine among PTA officials, in cahoots with school officials, to collect certain amounts for various school projects.
Kadtong dili maka-amot, dunay klase-klase nga sanction nga ipahamtang sa mga estudyante, palimpyohon sa room, mo-erase sa blackboard, manglimpyo sa kasilyas, ipalabay ang basura and other school chores that will result in the pupil being the last one to leave the classroom.
Needless to say, this is traumatic to the pupil concerned. And when he goes home late, he also gets a litany of verbal shots from his parents.
Apart from the trauma suffered by the pupil, this is also one of the reasons for school dropouts because it is not only embarrassing for the pupil but also an added financial burden to the parents too.
Mao man bitaw nga mo-eskuyla sa public kay libre ug way ika-afford ang mga ginikanan sa gastohon sa private schools, unya lisod-lisoron na hinuon sa tampohon nga gipaagi sa PTA.
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When some parents complain to school authorities about the collection of contributions, the usual answer is that the school has nothing to do with that, it is the PTA that collects, in support to the needs of the school.
Wala man na namo sila pugsa, voluntary ra man nang gihimo sa mga PTA officials nga gusto motabang sa mga programa sa eskuylahan pinaagi sa pag-kolekta og donasyon sa mga ginikanan, the usual explanation of the Principal.
And this applies to both the public and private schools, all covered by the prohibition of RA 5546.
One private high school has this habit of using the PTA to collect contributions from parents for the basketball uniform of their varsity team, even when bringing the name of the school in school meets and games.
Kon pangayoan og counterpart contribution, the school officials would usually refuse to give contribution and refuse to give explanation as well.
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Some PTA officials are motivated by pure intention to help the school programs, while others are motivated to help, not the school, but their pupils/students.
In what way?
Well, they want their pupils/students to graduate from the school with high honors and one way to ensure that is to be an active PTA official, preferably, an active PTA president.
Active, as in, abtik mo-kolekta og amot gikan sa mga ginikanan aron tubagon ang gustong pangayoon sa eskuylahan like electric fans, air-conditioning units or table and chairs for the teachers.
Or, pwede sab nga lain og tuyo ang PTA president.
Knowing that his son or daughter is deficient in the brains department, being an active President will help ensure that his son or daughter will be included in the list of graduating students.
Kadtong dili mo-amot kay maglisod og papirma sa clearance, which is a pre-requisite for graduation.
Luoy intawon ang pobreng ginikanan, mapugos og pangita o pangutang og kwarta aron lang maka-amot sa tampohon ug mapirmahan ang clearance sa iyang anak.
Kon duha ang iyang anak-estudyante, ma-doble pod ang iyang tampohon.
As in double jeopardy ang resulta.
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Now, those who are reading this episode are encouraged to report any collection activity being undertaken by the PTA or PTGA in any public or private schools in the country.
Why?
Because that is illegal and expressly prohibited by RA 5546.
And for sure, the DepEd will readily take action on complaints like these following the assurance of DepEd Secretary Sara Duterte-Carpio that they will take immediate action against schools that allow collection of contributions by PTA officials.
Sulayan kuno nato beh!
