Council approves subsidy for grad fees for elem, HS

CEBU, Philippines -  About 30,000 graduating students from elementary and secondary schools in Cebu City may no longer spend for graduation fees once the city government will subsidize their expenses starting next year.

The City Council passed an ordinance recently providing for a graduation fee subsidy of P150 to all public elementary and secondary schools in the city.

Mayor Michael Rama is yet to sign the measure to make it implementable.

 Councilor Alvin Dizon, the author of the ordinance, said the subsidy would lessen the burden on the part of parents in paying for graduation fees.

 Based on the ordinance, the city government shall allot a minimum of P4 million every year under the City Sponsored Activities account in the annual budget for all public elementary and secondary schools in the city to subsidize the expenses for their respective graduation ceremonies.

Dizon, though, wants the amount flexible, to increase it to up to P200, depending on the number of graduates. Councilor Noel Wenceslao agrees.

Section 2.3 of the ordinance states that “the city of Cebu may increase its Graduation Fee Subsidy taking into consideration an increase in the number of graduates, inflation, etc.”

 Based on DepEd’s data for March 2015, there will be 26,814 students graduating from elementary and secondary schools in the city.

 Quoting Dr. Rhea Mar Angtud, DepEd Cebu Schools Division Supt., Dizon said there are usually 15,000 graduates from elementary schools and 10,500 graduates from secondary schools.

 DepEd allows a graduation fee of P90 in the elementary level and P150 in the high school level from voluntary contributions from the Parent-Teacher Association.

 Dizon clarified that the city will not subsidize graduation fees for the senior high school level in the K to 12 program.

 The Cebu City Local School Board shall draft policies and guidelines to help the schools avail of the financial support.

Councilor Gerardo Carillo, meanwhile, said the amount should not only be charged against the budget of City Sponsored Activities but also to the annual budget. He said any increase would be reflected in the transitory provision in the annual budget.

 Dizon said the ordinance is pursuant to Section 1 Article 14 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, which states  that “The state shall protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality education at all levels, and shall take appropriate steps to make such education accessible to all.”

  “The local government is mandated by law to provide the necessary assistance that will promote and protect every child’s right and education,” he added.  (FREEMAN)