KORONADAL CITY, SOUTH COTABATO — The Provincial Government of South Cotabato has reiterated its firm stance against unauthorized Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) contributions, directing public schools to adhere strictly to existing Memoranda of Agreement (MOAs) that guarantee fully free public basic education.
Governor Reynaldo S. Tamayo Jr. emphasized that the province continues to allocate substantial resources—amounting to ₱120 million annually from the Special Education Fund (SEF)—to shoulder school operating costs, classroom supplies, and utility personnel.
“We have a Memorandum of Agreement, and collecting from the PTA is strictly prohibited,” Governor Tamayo declared. “We are spending a lot—allocating ₱120 million annually to ensure there is no need for PTA collections. I want to assure everyone that whether a family has money or not, their children can study. The money is here, so do not disturb families when sending their children to school,” the governor said.
Governor Tamayo added that even divisions outside the provincial setup, such as the City Division of Koronadal, receive supplemental provincial funding to safeguard free education for all students across South Cotabato.
For local families, the strict enforcement of the “No Collection Policy” brings tangible financial relief. Melinda, a mother of two public school students in the province who refused to be named, expressed deep gratitude for the provincial government’s initiative, noting how unexpected classroom fees used to strain their monthly household budget.
“This policy is a huge relief for our family,” she shared.
While Melinda doesn’t mind sharing responsibility and supporting children’s schools, she hopes these requests are regulated.
“It shouldn’t be that every single year, parents are asked to contribute for the exact same things, like electric fans. If there are joint projects, they should be limited and varied each school year, so it doesn’t become a recurring financial burden,” she said.
With the provincial government taking on the financial burden of school operations and utility staffing, South Cotabato was able to provide free education to at least 42, 000 students.
“To add to that number, we have also given financial assistance to 20, 000 college scholars,” Gov. Tamayo said during the weekly press conference Governor Meets the Press.
The governor admitted that the implementation is quite a bit challenging at first, but he ensures that a system is working.
“Hindi ito magiging problema kung made-decentralize na ito at magkaisa ang buong sambayanan,” he said.
In one of his recent provincial visits in Negros region as the president of the Partido Federal, a local leader recognized the Tamayo administration in the operation of free-education policy.
South Cotabato has been implementing free-education program since he assumed his office in 2020.
