00:00If you have a question about the law, he will answer it.
00:03Here is our lawyer, Atty. Gabby Concepcion.
00:06Atty. Gabby, good morning.
00:10Good morning, Ivan. Come on in.
00:12And good morning, class.
00:14Listen carefully to our lesson for today.
00:18Because it's back to school, the issue of contributions to school is being discussed again.
00:24There are things for the PTA, for the improvement of the classroom, and many more.
00:30Is the teacher still there? Who is he?
00:32But what does the law say about that?
00:35Well, that's our lesson for today.
00:38Ask me, ask Teacher Gabby.
00:45The question is, Atty., is it possible to ask for school fees or contributions,
00:51especially to public schools?
00:53What if there is really no fee?
00:56Well, remember, the DepEd implements the hashtag NoCollectionPolicy in public schools.
01:03And the DepEd also reminds us that from Kinder to Grade 4,
01:07the collection of any contribution is prohibited.
01:12In Grade 5 and higher, the system is a bit different.
01:16There is no collection of any kind during enrollment and in the first month of class.
01:22But after that first month, from the second month onwards,
01:26the following can be done.
01:28But it should be voluntary and not forced.
01:32If there is no payment, there is no need to give.
01:35What are these?
01:36Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts Membership, Red Cross Membership, Anti-TB Fund Drive,
01:42and the PTA or the Parent-Teacher Association.
01:45You cannot say that if you will not pay, you will not give the report card
01:50or you will not give the clearance or you will not release the test results
01:54or you will not give the exam.
01:56These are prohibited.
02:00Attorney, where can I complain if I was denied a school fee that should not be paid?
02:07Oh no, if you were denied these kinds of fees,
02:10you can complain to the Division, Regional, or Central Office of DepEd.
02:15Well, Google is your friend to see in the online directories
02:19where you can see the contact number and contact of the offices of DepEd
02:26that are included in your school, especially if you are in other regions.
02:31For public school teachers and officials,
02:34please remember that you are considered government employees and civil servants.
02:40That is why unauthorized collection of fees,
02:42not remitting of money can be a case for draft
02:47and violation of Code of Conduct for government officials.
02:51Not only suspension and termination can reach you,
02:55oh no, you can also go to jail.
02:59So, in our discussion of the law, we will clarify that
03:02for the peace of mind, don't think twice.
03:07Ask me, ask Attorney Gabby.
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