DepEd hidden funds: On Monday, Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte proposed giving DepEd P150 million in hidden money for the following year.
Filipino IQs below average? DepEd wants us to “read the report” and debate the next steps.
Duterte told the press during Brigada Eskwela’s start at Tarlac National High School that money is important for children’s education. Education and national defense are crucial. She stated we must nurture patriotic children. Due to its nature, Duterte kept the reason for the sought money private.
A note mentions private funding. We need to start it and move it. “Since it’s secret money, we can’t discuss how it’s used in operations,” she added. Congressthe House and Senatewill decide how to handle the secret donations. We just made a date. She said we informed them. DepEd’s 2024 budget is P758.59 billion, up P36 billion from last year’s P721.79 billion. Gabriela Representative Arlene Brosas said the DepEd hidden money is inappropriate for that department.
The Education Department should not have hidden funds. Schools should replace jail… She remarked, “Kids will feel more love for their country if the government invests more money in schools and basic social services instead of the dishonest Confidential and Intelligence Fund.”
Sara Duterte works to provide women equal access to technology and computers.
Duterte also wants to give the Office of the Vice President, which is not part of DepEd, P500 million in secret cash. Duterte said the “National Brigada Eskwela” is more manageable this year. Before classes start on August 29, school buildings must be maintained and working correctly.
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Duterte ordered people to clean up their schools and remove debris and broken items. Duterte asked Filipinos to use their “Bayanihan Spirit” to help prepare schools, even if the Brigada Eskwela is optional. Only assist if you’re willing. She said you’ll pay if you can’t help the community and people complain. DepEd said that 353 schools were damaged by typhoons Egay, Falcon, and the “habagat.”
Many urge the Department of Education to rebuild storm-damaged schools immediately.
It has been monitoring these schools and using its P2 billion rapid action fund to solve their difficulties. Natural calamities have increased recently. Thus, we should prioritize fixing them with emergency funding. Duterte stated they may employ many learning techniques if he comes after school starts.
“If the schools aren’t safe, especially if there’s damage to the buildings, we can’t send our kids to school, especially our teachers who go to school,” said DepEd Usec. Michael Poa during another news conference.
Public school registration begins today, August 7, according to DepEd. Poa expects 1% more students than the previous year. 28.8 million pupils will return. Register till August 26. They may register in person, online, or through drop boxes.
Vice President Duterte said the transit strike ignores teachers’ and children’s safety. Poa said that DepEd aims to employ more instructors to address the shortfall. We hired 9,500 new instructors last year. We’ll employ 9,650 instructors this year. “Our 2024 budget includes more teacher positions,” he stated. Poa announced DepEd’s K-10 curriculum on August 10.
Our Reader’s Queries
Is confidential fund unconstitutional?
The petitioners have argued that the allocation and release of confidential funds is unconstitutional as it goes against section 28, article II of the 1987 Constitution. This section mandates that the State must adopt and implement a policy of full disclosure of all its activities, subject to reasonable conditions prescribed by law. The petitioners believe that the confidentiality of these funds violates this policy and is therefore unconstitutional.
What is the budget for the OVP in 2024?
In keeping with the customary parliamentary courtesy, the Office of the Vice President (OVP) has been proposed to receive an appropriation of P385 billion for 2024. This amount is slightly higher than the P2.36 billion allocated to the OVP for 2023.