Isabela school fundraising questioned by parents; SPTA says ticket buying is voluntary

RAMON, Isabela — The distribution of fundraising tickets to elementary pupils for a school stage repair has drawn questions from some parents over its legality, while school representatives maintain that the activity was reportedly approved by the Schools Division Office (SDO) and that purchasing tickets is voluntary.

A parent identified only as “Boy” raised the concern on October 21, 2026, saying he supported improving school facilities but wanted to ensure that the fundraising activity complied with laws and Department of Education (DepEd) policies on school collections.

“Anak ko, Grade 2. Binigyan ako ng ticket na dalawang 66 pieces, equivalent of 12 booklets. ₱20 ang isa, kaya ₱240. Nagulat ako, tinanong ko sa GC nila kung authorized ba sila kasi under Republic Act No. 5546, bawal po ang selling ng tickets sa school,” Boy said.

He cited Republic Act No. 4206, as amended by Republic Act No. 5546, which prohibits the sale of tickets and the collection of certain contributions from students and teachers in elementary and secondary schools, subject to exceptions provided by law.

“Yan po yung kailangan nilang malaman. Alam nilang bawal, at bakit pa nila ginawa ito sa school?” he added.

The fundraising aims to generate funds for repairing the school stage, which is used for programs and ceremonies.

In a report by Bombo Radyo Cauayan, school officials and representatives of the School Parent-Teacher Association (SPTA) said the activity had undergone the required process and was reportedly approved by the SDO before implementation. However, they declined to participate in a recorded interview.

The SPTA maintained that purchasing the tickets was voluntary and that no fixed contribution was imposed on parents.

Parent Winda Madia also defended the initiative, saying most attendees at the general meeting had agreed to the project. She urged parents with concerns to raise them through proper channels so that all sides could be heard.

“Tatlong anak ko na ang napa-graduate ko po sa ganito. Ang ganda po ng samahan ng parent, teacher, at saka sa principal po, pero ngayon lang po ako nakaranas ng ganito na may nagsumbong sa Bombo Radyo,” Madia said.

Based on her experience, she maintained that the school project was not improper.

“Kaya sinasabi ko po, wala pong mali na ginagawa po dito sa school, dahil ako po, napa-graduate ko po yung tatlong dalaga ko,” she added.

DepEd Order No. 54, series of 2009, provides guidelines on voluntary contributions and school-related activities, while DepEd Memorandum No. 041, series of 2024, reiterates the department’s no-collection policy.

While the SPTA maintains that participation is voluntary and that the activity received SDO approval, the parent’s concern centers on whether distributing and selling fundraising tickets to pupils is allowed under applicable laws and DepEd regulations.

Verification from the SDO is needed to establish whether the fundraising activity complies with existing rules.