On Monday, the Department of Education (DepEd) and its related agencies asked the House of Representatives for an extra P61.74 billion in their 2025 budget. This request is on top of the P793.177 billion budget proposed under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s National Expenditure Program (NEP).
Details of the Request
The requested funds include an additional P59.45 billion for the DepEd Office of the Secretary (OSEC) and P2.29 billion for its six attached agencies.
For Schools and Learning
Education Secretary Juan Edgardo Angara, in a presentation to the House Committee on Appropriations, highlighted several key areas where the additional funds would be directed:
- School Infrastructure: P30 billion is designated for building 12,000 new classrooms and P6.8 billion for the Infrastructure for Safer and Resilient Schools Project.
- Educational Materials: An additional P500 million is requested for textbooks and other instructional materials.
- Special Programs: The budget includes funds for various programs such as P201 million for the Special Needs Education-Child Find System, P97 million for the Madrasah Education Program, and P50 million for the Early Language Literacy and Numeracy program.
Enhancing Human Resources
The proposal also seeks to improve the Department’s human resource management:
- Career Pathways: About P666 million is requested to provide career pathways for non-teaching personnel.
- Guidance Counselors: A reclassification of guidance counselors to guidance services specialists, which would cost P35 million.
Additional Requests
The DepEd’s budget wish list also includes:
- P700 million for a computer program to organize files.
- P2.17 billion for Human Resource Development for Personnel in Schools and Learning Centers.
- Funds for national programs like the Palarong Pambansa and administrative services.
Importance of the Budget Increase
These funds are crucial for improving educational facilities, resources, and the overall quality of education in the Philippines, aiming to ensure that every student receives the best possible educational opportunities.
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Note
The details mentioned above are part of an ongoing discussion and are subject to change as the budget proposal moves through the legislative process.
