PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday pushed for substantial allocations for key programs of the Department of Education (DepEd) as the agency revealed the reduction in its budget for 2025 could worsen the country’s problem on teacher shortage.
The President took notice of the budget gaps of various projects of DepEd for this year despite education as one of the Chief Executive’s top priorities.
“We have to be able to show that that’s (education) the priority,” President Marcos stressed when he met Education officials to review their 2025 budget.
For DepEd, from its proposed P748 billion appropriations, Congress only approved PhP737 billion.
Allocations reduced by Congress were for the creation of new school personnel positions, the Basic Education Facilities Fund (BEFF), and the implementation of the DepEd Computerization Program (DCP).
The lower budget for new school personnel positions will “exacerbate the teacher shortage,” according to DepEd.
It added the requirement from previous years remains partly addressed, further compromising the delivery of quality education.
The DepEd proposed PhP12.379 billion for its DCP but was only given PhP2.43 billion. It said the decrease will affect the delivery of much-needed learner and teacher tools, such as laptops, smart TVs, and satellite-based internet.
As a result, DepEd was forced to cancel about PhP4 billion out of the PhP7 billion worth of DCP projects that already underwent early procurement activities.
The reduced BEFF will also affect the construction of school buildings.
Meanwhile, President Marcos concurred with TESDA’s plan to study options for financing its unfunded programs.
While TESDA’s budget increased by PhP20.73 billion in the FY 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA) from the previous PhP18.50 billion in the FY 2025 National Expenditure Program (NEP), some of its key programs were not funded this year.
This included the creation of Enterprise-based Training Office and the establishment of New Regional Office for Negros Island Region. |
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