November 25, 2020 – The Department of Education’s (DepEd) 2021 budget is now up for bicameral deliberations after it hurdled the Senate Plenary Budget Hearing on Thursday, November 19.

Senator Pia Cayetano successfully defended the 2021 budget of DepEd, including the funds of the National Museum, National Council for Children’s Television, Early Childhood Care and Development Council, National Book Development Board, Philippine High School for the Arts, and the newly-established National Sports Academy.

“DepEd ensures that these funds are for the benefit of our teachers, learners, and personnel as we continue to adapt to the changing times in education. We thank Senator Pia for graciously defending our budget, and we welcome our senators’ inputs to efficiently utilize our funds,” said Secretary Leonor Magtolis-Briones.

Included in the 2021 budget is the increase of teaching supplies allowance from Php 3,500 to Php 5,000 next year.

DepEd also appealed for the inclusion of annual medical exam and World Teachers’ Day incentive bonus to the FY 2021 Budget.

Meanwhile, restoration of funding level for the Senior High School Voucher program, flexible learning options, Indigenous People’s education, Special Education, disaster preparedness and response is proposed.

Other changes and appeals of the Department for next year’s budget include:

• Move the 25B unprogrammed fund to the programmed fund of DepEd.
• Increase in funding for learning resources – Self-learning Modules, DepEd TV/Radio.
• Special provision for extended validity of funding for specific education programs.
• Additional MOOE for school operations.

Undersecretary for Finance Annalyn Sevilla said hearings for DepEd’s 2021 budget is now terminated and now awaits bicameral deliberations.

“Thank you, DepEd Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones for your untiring and committed leadership. Salamat, salamat at salamat to all DepEd Executive and Management committee members, the Budget-hearings TWG, Finance and Planning Service, all support staff and our whole DepEd family for the teamwork, hard work, [and] for giving all efforts and your best,” said Undersecretary Sevilla.

 

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