The Department of Education (DepEd) MIMAROPA is reminding schools of its “no collection” policy as part of its efforts to ensure that basic education in public schools remains free for elementary and high school students.
During the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) on October 15, DepEd MIMAROPA Regional Director Nicolas T. Capulong reiterated that every school should abide by the law.
He also made it clear that donations are voluntary and not mandatory.
“Batas is batas. Everybody should be following it. Kami po sa Department of Education, alam po ng Principal yan. Subalit ito pong may mga PTA [Parent Teachers Association], sila po yung nag i-insist. Sabi ko po kanina it should be voluntary only. On the other hand, parang ginagawang mandatory. Ano po ang solution dyan? Dissolve the PTA. Pwede po ‘yun alisin kapag hindi na sila nasunod kasi ang head ay ang Principal ‘di ho ba? Naglalabag na sila sa batas hindi naman po pwede ‘yon,” he said.
Capulong also calls on the school Principals and teachers to properly utilize the school’s Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE), which refers to the expenditures to support the operations, such as, but not limited to supplies and materials, transportation, travel, utilities, repair, and others.
“Ito rin po yung karaniwang naririnig ko sa mga ibang lugar, na tama po kayo, pag-eleksyon punta dito, punta doon na parang sinasamantala. Sana naman ang mga punong-guro po natin at ang mga teachers natin, we are not professional beggars na palimos-limos. Ang sinasuggest po namin ay to properly use and utilize the school MOOE. Doon po tayo kukuha ng tamang paggamit po nito para maiwasan nga po yung parang beggar kaming hingi ng hingi,” he said.
Moreover, Capulong encourages the schools to promote partnerships and collaborate with the stakeholders.
“Wala rin naman pong mahirap sa tawag po naming partnership. Doon nila ipasok yan lahat ng programa. Partnership and linkageship pero dapat it’s a recognized activity. Hindi yung solicit solicit na parang nakakawala po ng dignidad sa atin,” he pointed out.
In August, Education Secretary Sonny Angara reminded all DepEd personnel of the agency’s code of conduct that prohibits unwarranted solicitations and collection of contributions.
“This order hereby underscores the policy that sales of tickets and/or all forms of contributions are prohibited,” Angara said. (ALG/PIA MIMAROPA)
