But the Department of Commerce declined to comment when asked whether foreign students are allowed to work.
Commerce Deputy Secretary Sixto Igisomar said they are still looking into the “legalities” of the matter to ensure that they will “release the right statement at the right time.”
At least eight parents of foreign students in an interview said allowing their children to work here will “ease their burden.”
“The tuition fee of Northern Marianas College is affordable to those who have government financial aid, but for those students who don’t receive such assistance, it’s a heavy load,” said Marites Panganiban, a parent of an NMC student.
She works as a store cashier and she said “it is difficult for me to pay for my child’s tuition fee which costs $4,000 per semester.”
Asked why she does not want to send her child to the Philippines, Panganiban said: “It’s better that we suffer together than to suffer apart.”
Another parent who declined to be identified said allowing her child to work part-time will be convenient for them.
“I hope my son will be able to work so that he could help me pay for his tuition fee,” she said.
Her son, who is studying nursing at NMC, also expressed his interest in working “so I can help my mother pay for my books.”
His books alone, he said, amount to $1,000 this semester while his mother’s salary is only $800 a month.
