DBM approves funds for building additional 120 classrooms nationwide
Learners and teachers can expect more classrooms to be built in
various schools as Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah
F. Pangandaman approved the joint request of the Department of Public Works and
Highways (DPWH) and Department of Education (DepEd) for the release of funds
amounting to P303.5 million to construct a total of 120 classrooms in 21 sites
nationwide.
Secretary Pangandaman highlighted the need to strengthen the
education sector as a crucial factor in promoting the country’s social and
human development.
“Education is a chance for every Filipino to improve his or her quality of
life. Education empowers us to achieve genuine prosperity as well. But it is
also a shared responsibility to work together for the country to achieve
complete economic healing and recovery. Let us continue to invest in
education,” the budget secretary stressed.
Sec. Pangandaman likewise pointed out that the release of needed
funds is in adherence to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directive to
improve education facilities to create a conducive learning environment for all
learners, including in remote and hard-to-reach areas.
“Bilin po ng Pangulo na dapat bigyan natin ng disente at secured na lugar ang
ating mga estudyante at guro para maayos silang makapag-aral at makapagturo.
Dapat equal po 'yan at walang pinipiling lugar. Nasa Maynila ka man o sa
malayong probinsya, dapat maayos ang education facilities para sa ating mga
guro at estudyante,” Pangandaman added.
The request for the release of funds under the Basic Education
Facilities (BEF) Batch 2 for Calendar Year (CY) 2023 was approved after the
requirements were completed including the list of schools approved by the DepEd
Undersecretaries for School Infrastructure and Facilities, and Finance; Budget
Execution Document No. 1-Financial Plan; Physical Plan; and Monthly
Disbursement Program.
The total authorized appropriation for Special Provisions in the FY 2023 DepEd
budget of P15.7 billion is being implemented by the Department of Public Works
and Highways (DPWH). This includes P15.6 billion for the construction,
replacement, and completion of kindergarten, elementary, and secondary school
buildings and technical vocational laboratories, among others. (DBM/PIA-Caraga)
