Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim Thursday warned administrators of public elementary and high schools not to collect a single centavo from students as he reminded them of his “zero collection” policy.

According to Manila City Administrator Jesus Mari Marzan, Lim has ordered him to send out a reminder at the office of Division of City School headed by Dr. Ponciano Menguito to make sure that no fees would be collected from the students.

“We are doing this as a prevention and protection for parents who were trying to make ends meet just to send their children to school. Mayor Lim asked me to put the reminder on paper and send it to Meguito,” he said.

Marzan encouraged parents and students to report to them immediately if fees – such as parent-teacher fees or organization fees – were being asked from them by different school administrators.

“Klaro ang bilin ng alkalde na hindi bibigyan ng pasanin ang mga magulang ng mga mag-aaral na magkaroon pa ng karagdagang bigat sa buhay dahil sagot na ito ng pamahalaang lungsod ng Maynila,” he said.

Meanwhile, Manila City Government chief of staff Ric de Guzman warned members of the academe that they will not think twice in filing administrative charges against them should they be caught collecting money from students.

“Kung gusto ng mga magulang at teacher na magtayo ng organisasyon, sila magbayad ng mga bayarin ditto, huwag nilang ipasa sa estudyante,” according to De Guzman.