The Teachers' Dignity Coalition (TDC) urges the Philippine Congress to include the education sector in the proposed ₱5.7 trillion budget 2024.
The request of TDC comes as many officials are asking for confidential funds, especially Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte.
Teachers Should Be Included in Philippines' ₱5 Trillion Budget
A teacher cleans a flooded classroom as she waits for residents to come pick up learning materials for their children studying at home, in the closed Pamarawan High School on October 13, 2021 in the coastal village of Pamarawan in Malolos, Bulacan province, Philippines.
TDC's Chairman Benjo Basas called out the Congress, saying that the government should prioritize improving the classroom situations in the country.
He said lawmakers must do this instead of focusing on expenditures requiring confidential funds.
Via CNN Philippines, Basas said that it is not the job of DepEd (Department of Education) to conduct intelligence gathering.
He explained that this task should be left to agencies with mandated intelligence gathering. Basas added that since the Philippines still has issues with its basic education, it is hard to justify the need for intelligence and confidential funds.
Recently, the Office of the Vice President announced that it is seeking ₱500 million in confidential funds. Meanwhile, the Department of Education only asked for ₱150 million.
DepEd Undersecretary Michael Poa said that the Philippines needs around 165,000 classrooms. The official explained that the government should allocate enough budget to ensure students have enough rooms to study in.
Philippines' ₱5 Trillion Budget Proposal
Philippine President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. delivers his first State of the Nation Address before lawmakers at the House of Representatives on July 25, 2022 in Manila, Philippines. Marcos Jr., the son and namesake of disgraced dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr., laid down his plans for the country still reeling from the effects of the pandemic and soaring inflation.
According to Rappler, the Marcos Administration proposed a ₱5.768 trillion budget for 2024. This is around 9.5% higher compared to the country's current budget, which is only ₱5.268 trillion.
Before it can be approved, the House of Representatives will evaluate the proposal of Bongbong's economic managers.
This will be conducted through plenary debates and committee hearings scheduled from August until September.
On Tuesday, Sept. 19, the plenary debates will discuss the budgets that should be allocated to the Department of Finance, the National Economic and Development Authority, the Department of Tourism, and other offices under OP (Office of the President).
Meanwhile, the Department of Education budget will be discussed on Sept. 26, as confirmed by House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
"Proposed appropriations for the OP, Office of the Vice President, Department of Education, Metro Manila Development Authority, and Dangerous Drugs Board and several other OP agencies, Department of Public Works and Highways, and Department of Environment and Natural Resources will be tackled on Sept. 26," he said.
If you want to learn more details about the latest budget proposal for the Philippines in 2024, you can click this link.
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