The NPC is asking the school to explain its mandatory pregnancy test

The National Commission for Privacy (NPC) has asked Pines City College in Baguio to explain the legality of its mandatory pregnancy test, due to the dilemma against seemingly retrospective school policies.

READ: Baguio College carries out compulsory pregnancy tests, is being pulled out on the Internet

In a letter dated November 8, the NPC asked senior school officials, as well as their school doctor, to explain the "legality and regularity" of the policy, given the sensitive information.

The question relates to a controversial school memorandum that encompasses colleges of dentistry, nurses and pharmacies on mandatory pregnancy testing.

"This Commission understands that Pines Citi Colleges subject their students to compulsory pregnancy testing," she wrote.

Moreover, the NPC said that the school doctor had asked the Dean and the Heads of Departments to list all of their students in order to facilitate the collection of samples.

It is not clear from the time of the press for how long the practice is in progress, but the management of the school is crammed on the ground.

"Pines Citi Colleges respects its policy of pregnancy tests for students enrolling in any subject that would endanger both mother and child. This is the policy that our students agreed upon after enrolling in this institution," said the management on the official Facebook page.

READ: Baguiou School has its own pregnancy testing policy

Attorney Francis Acero, head of the NPC Appeals and Investigation Department, said in the order that the law prohibits the processing of personal data on the health and sexual history of an individual.

The Data Protection Act, however, provides certain exceptions, such as the processing of sensitive information to protect the life and health of a person.

"Your presence in this Commission is so necessary to highlight the legality and appropriateness of this collection of sensitive personal data," the commission wrote.

"As this is an initial investigation, we will not consider the extension proposal. Failure to respond to this request can lead to a more comprehensive investigation that can lead to the establishment of civil, criminal and administrative penalties on your institution and its responsible officials," it added. / atm

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