By: Tamara Morrigan Catada

The local government of Quezon City directed the management of Colegio de San Lorenzo (CDSL) to immediately issue a refund to parents of students affected by its closure and not require them to sign a waiver before processing the reimbursement.

City Legal Department Head Atty. Orlando Paolo Casimiro said CDSL should fulfill its earlier commitment -- to return the tuition and other payments to the parents -- when it announced its permanent shutdown on Monday due to "financial instability" and lack of "financial viability."

"The school cannot limit the legal options of the parents by requiring them to sign a waiver," City Legal Department Head Atty. Orlando Paolo Casimiro said.

"Malaking abala na nga ang ginawa ng CDSL sa kanilang mga estudyante. Sana naman huwag na nilang dagdagan pa ang perwisyo na kanilang idinulot sa pag-obliga sa mga ito na pumirma ng waiver (The students have suffered enough due to the closure. CDSL shouldn't aggravate the situation by compelling them to agree to a waiver)," Mayor Joy Belmonte added. 

Casimiro said the City Legal Department and the Education Affairs Unit have been monitoring the school's compliance with refunding school fees, following Belmonte's instruction to assist students, parents, and personnel affected by CDSL's cessation of operations.

The Legal Aid Office under the City Legal Department also provides legal assistance and advice, while the Education Affairs Unit has been coordinating with prospective schools to transfer displaced students. 

As for the CDSL teachers and non-teaching personnel who lost their jobs, the city government will refer them to the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) and other concerned offices for possible job placement or livelihood opportunities. 

Casimiro further revealed that the LGU is looking into other possible violations of the school, including lack of building permit, alleged illegal construction, and breach of easement of waterways.