MANILA — A lawmaker has reminded all higher education institutions (HEIs) to observe the moratorium on the collection of student loans in areas where a state of calamity has been declared.

With several parts of the country still reeling from recent earthquakes and typhoons, Senator Chiz Escudero said affected families should focus on recovery and rebuilding their lives first.

“Pinapaalala natin sa ating mga unibersidad, kolehiyo, at pati na din ang mga tech-voc (technical-vocational) institutions na may batas tayo na nagbabawal sa pagkolekta ng mga utang ng kanilang mga estudyante. Sa panahon na may sakuna, ang pinakamahalaga ay ang muling makabangon ang mga nasalanta,” Escudero said.

Under Republic Act 12077, or the Student Loan Payment Moratorium During Disasters and Emergencies Act, payment of all fees and charges by HEIs and technical-vocational institutions (TVIs) is suspended for the duration of the declared state of emergency or calamity, and for 30 days after it is lifted.

As one of the authors and sponsors of the law, Escudero said education should not be disrupted whenever disaster strikes, noting that recovering from calamities can be even more difficult than rebuilding damaged property.

“Hindi dapat maging dahilan ang kawalan ng pambayad ng matrikula para matigil ang pag-aral ng ating mga estudyante lalo na pag sila rin mismo ay biktima ng bagyo, lindol o anumang sakuna,” he said.

The law ensures that students availing of the moratorium will not lose their eligibility for re-enrolment in succeeding semesters. It also encourages HEIs and TVIs to offer payment relief or assistance programs to help affected students settle their loans once conditions improve.

Any waiver of the moratorium benefit or government assistance related to it is prohibited.

Escudero, who chaired the Senate Committee on Higher, Technical and Vocational Education in the 19th Congress and co-chaired the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2), also sponsored Republic Act 11984 or the No Permit, No Exam Prohibition Act. The law allows disadvantaged students to take exams even if they are unable to pay their tuition or other school fees on time.

“Students affected by calamities are classified as ‘disadvantaged’ upon the certification by the Department of Social Welfare and Development. So the inability to pay their tuition should not be an obstacle to the completion of their educational requirements. They can find a way to pay for their loans later,” Escudero said.