Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) appealed to educational institutions not to impose an added burden to parents by requiring their kids to be vaccinated against Covid-19 before they are allowed to go back to school.
ARTA Director-General Jeremiah Belgica made the statement as more schools start to have face-to-face classes after Metro Manila and 38 other areas moved to Alert Level 1 this month.
In a statement, Belgica reminded educational institutions to not burden parents, as well as their minor children, with additional costs and requirements, particularly vaccination.
He noted that even Education Secretary Leonor Briones clarified that while vaccination against the coronavirus is encouraged for everyone, it is not mandatory.
"In other words, children are not required to get the vaccine before being able to attend their classes," he said.
"We in ARTA support this clarification made by Education Secretary Briones," he added.
Belgica said schools, colleges, and other educational institutions must be reminded that the students' parents are the ones to decide on whether they will have their children vaccinated against Covid-19 or not.
He added that ARTA will continue to monitor the situation on the ground to ensure that no educational institution is forcing students to submit additional requirements. Those caught doing so may be held liable for violating the Ease of Doing Business Act.
"I am calling on my fellow public servants as well as private stakeholders to make this period a safe, enjoyable, and comfortable time for our students by not imposing an undue regulatory burden on them," Belgica said.
"Let us not further hamper the education of Filipino youth by subjecting them to red tape," he added.
Meanwhile, Belgica said that everyone in ARTA is delighted that children will finally be able to return to schools after two years of being locked inside their houses.
"We at ARTA are happy to see the Filipino youth now able to physically attend their classes," he said.