The Pasig City government has temporarily waived all regulatory fees of all private schools in the city until the resumption of face-to-face classes.  It also extended the coverage of its scholarship funds to include indigent private school students.

Under Ordinance No. 32, all private educational institutions in Pasig will not pay the regulatory fees they owe the city government until the national government allows face-to-face classes.

“We know private schools are having a difficult time too, and some are in danger of closing. Many of their students can't afford tuition anymore. This puts our public school system in danger of overcrowding,” Mayor Vico Sotto said on Facebook.

The local government has also passed a measure extending its scholarship fund to 3,000 indigent students enrolled in private schools in the city.

“As for the scholarship it is already funded we will just ask help from the private schools to identify the last 3,000 scholars,” Sotto told Manila Bulletin in a separate message.

“We will advance the entire semester's or first five months of the monthly stipend so that they can use the entire amount to help pay for their tuition or buy a gadget,” he added.

The Department of Education earlier moved the school opening from Aug. 24 to Oct. 5, but allowed private schools to proceed with their schedules.

Meanwhile, in support of the distance learning approach this school year, the Pasig City government is procuring P1.3 billion worth of learning devices such as tablets and laptops for use of public school students and teachers in the city.

“We will help the Department of Education, our students, and their families by providing 138,000 learning pockets, tablets or laptops depending sa pangangailangan (on what they need),” Sotto said earlier.

“138,000 ibig po sabihin (this means), one is to one. One computer or one tablet is to one student,” he added.