The education sector remains as the top priority in the Philippine government's 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA) as emphasized by Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah “Mina” F. Pangandaman.

 

"Looking at the final computation by Congress, it is clear that education remains the biggest allocation with ₱1.055 trillion overall buget for this sector, surpassing public works which received ₱1.007 trillion," Secretary Mina explained.

 

Supporting this statement, DBM Head of the Legal and Legislative Group Undersecretary Janet B. Abuel stressed that the Philippine Constitution mandates education as the highest priority of the state.

 

"Under the Constitution, ang nakalagay po, the State shall assign the highest priority to education. Generic po siya na education, hindi po Department of Education. Meron tayong Commission on Higher Education, State Universities and Colleges, other schools po which would include the Philippine National Police Academy and Philippine Military Academy. State subsidized sila. ‘Yung mga sweldo ng mga professors, provision of classrooms and infrastructures, i-aaccount mo 'yung entire education sector,” Usec Abuel added.

 

On the Congress’ P9.9 billion budget cut taken from the Department of Education Computerization Program (DCP), Secretary Mina elaborated, “DepEd can reprioritize existing programs and tap the budget of slow-moving projects to cover the Computerization Program, of course, subject to the rules of the use of savings and approval from the President.”

 

Moreover, the DCP currently holds an 85% obligation rate and a 15% disbursement rate as of December 11, 2024. These undisbursed and unobligated funds can still be utilized by DepEd until the end of 2025.

 

Aside from the ₱2.431 billion allocation under the 2025 GAA for the DCP, Secretary Mina also highlighted a new funding line item: an additional ₱1.5 billion for the Connectivity Enhancement Program for E-learning in Public Schools, a new DepEd initiative aimed at improving digital infrastructure in public education.

 

“This additional funding could bridge gaps in digital infrastructure, potentially alleviating some of the financial pressures on the Computerization Program,” the Budget Secretary ended.

 

Should additional funding be required, the FY 2025 Unprogrammed Appropriations can be tapped to further support the DCP, subject to the availability of excess revenue and the conditions set in the Special Provisions.

 

 

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09 January 2025

 

Nananatili ang sektor ng edukasyon bilang pangunahing prayoridad sa 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA) ng gobyerno ng Pilipinas, gaya ng binigyang-diin ni Secretary Amenah "Mina" F. Pangandaman ng Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

 

"Looking at the final computation by Congress, it is clear that education remains the biggest allocation with ₱1.055 trillion overall buget for this sector, surpassing public works which received ₱1.007 trillion," paliwanag ni Secretary Mina.

 

Bilang suporta sa pahayag na ito, binigyang-diin ni DBM Head of the Legal and Legislative Group  Undersecretary Janet B. Abuel, na itinatakda sa Saligang Batas ng Pilipinas ang edukasyon bilang pinakamataas na prayoridad ng estado.

 

"Under the Constitution, ang nakalagay po, the State shall assign the highest priority to education. Generic po siya na education, hindi po Department of Education. Meron tayong Commission on Higher Education, State Universities and Colleges, other schools po which would include the Philippine National Police Academy and Philippine Military Academy. State subsidized sila. ‘Yung mga sweldo ng mga professors, provision of classrooms and infrastructures, i-aaccount mo 'yung entire education sector,” dagdag  ni Usec Abuel.

 

Hinggil sa P9.9 bilyong budget cut ng Kongreso mula sa Department of Education Computerization Program (DCP), ipinaliwanag ni Secretary Mina, “DepEd can reprioritize existing programs and tap the budget of slow-moving projects to cover the Computerization Program, of course, subject to the rules of the use of savings and approval from the President.”

 

Bukod pa rito, ang DCP ay may  85% obligation rate at 15% disbursement rate simula noong Disyembre 11, 2024. Ang mga hindi nagastos at hindi obligadong pondo ay maaari pa ring gamitin ng DepEd hanggang sa katapusan ng 2025.

 

Bukod sa ₱2.431 bilyong alokasyon sa ilalim ng 2025 GAA para sa DCP, binigyang-diin din ni Secretary Mina ang isang bagong item sa pondo: ang karagdagang ₱1.5 bilyon para sa Connectivity Enhancement Program para sa E-learning sa mga Pampublikong Paaralan, isang bagong inisyatibo ng DepEd na naglalayong pahusayin ang digital infrastructure sa pampublikong edukasyon.

 

“This additional funding could bridge gaps in digital infrastructure, potentially alleviating some of the financial pressures on the Computerization Program,” pagtatapos na pahayag ng Budget Secretary.

 

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