Senator Rafael "Raffy" Tulfo has called on the Senate to probe the alleged “abrupt, reckless, indiscriminate and unceremonious” permanent closure of the Colegio de San Lorenzo (CDSL) in Quezon City.
Tulfo recently filed Senate Resolution (SR) No. 156 to fulfill his promise to the teachers of the college that he would investigate the ‘’untimely closure’’ of the school.
“The sudden permanent closure of Colegio de San Lorenzo, despite the contingency measures adopted thereafter, has caused extreme prejudice, physical, psychological, and mental anguish to both the students and parents,” he said.
Last August 15, the Colegio de San Lorenzo Catholic school in Barangay Toro, Quezon City announced its permanent closure after 34 years of existence and operation.
The school cited, among others, alleged “financial instability and lack of financial viability brought about by the ongoing pandemic.”
The permanent closure of the school, without online option even to graduating students, was announced by the school’s officials on the very same day, August 15, when the first day of the Academic year was supposed to commence. No prior notice was given to enrolled students and parents.
Department of Education (DepEd) spokesman Michael Poa on Augusut 16 confirmed that CDSL did not formally inform DepEd of its intent to close.
Following the untimely closure, several teachers and students from the institution aired their grievances to Tulfo, through his program, “Wanted sa Radyo.”
Tulfo vowed to help them by filing a Senate resolution, in aid of legislation, about the issue.
While CDSL reportedly refunded some students who have paid their school fees following the interference and assistance of the Quezon City local government, Tulfo lamented how “the school’s undertaking to coordinate with other schools which can accept displaced students and assimilate employees who lost their jobs manifestly came as a mere afterthought.”
The lawmaker from Isabela stressed that there is an urgent need for an inquiry to adopt necessary legislative measures that would provide sufficient legal guidelines to govern similar instances in the future.
“We also need to impose appropriate penalties and sanctions to those who may be held accountable for violations of applicable laws,” he said.