P977.48 M allotted for progressive expansion of face-to-face classes — DepEd

by Merlina Hernando-Malipot, Manila Bulletin

The Department of Education (DepEd) has approved the allocation of funding to help ensure that participating schools in the progressive expansion of face-to-face classes would be able to respond to emerging needs.

During the Laging Handa briefing on Wednesday, March 2, Education Secretary Leonor Briones said that DepEd will be spending close to P1 billion to “strengthen the progressive expansion for the schools.”

In the same briefing, DepEd Undersecretary for Finance Annalyn Sevilla said that DepEd has already met with the concerned regional directors to discuss the funds that might be needed in preparation for the implementation of progressive face-to-face classes in their respective areas.

 

“Marami po sa mga pondo na atin pong pinaghahandaan ay iyong pong physical arrangements ng eskuwelahan – iyon pong protection and safety ng mga learners at mga guro at siyempre po iyong mga learning resources na kailangan natin. (Part of the funds we are preparing is for the physical arrangements of the school to ensure the protection and safety of learners and teachers and of course, for the learning resources that we need),” Sevilla said.

Based on the data obtained by Manila Bulletin provided by Sevilla, a total of P977,477,000 was allotted for participating schools under the school Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE).

Of this amount, P531.36 million will be allocated to elementary schools (Kinder to Grade 6); P303.63 million will be given to Junior High School (Grade 7 to Grade 10); and P142.49 million for Senior High School (Grade 11 to Grade 12).

DepEd said that these amounts are to be downloaded or to be released to the Regional Offices.

“The Regional Directors are authorized to allocate the said amounts among schools considering the implementation status of face-to-face classes in their respective regions,” DepEd said.

DepEd noted 4.24 percent or P41.48 million of the total available funds “shall be retained in the Central Office as a contingency fund.”

Meanwhile, DepEd clarified that the use of the said funds shall also be subject to existing budgeting, accounting, auditing, and procurement rules and regulations.

Thus, in “no case shall these funds be used” for procurement of tangible items beyond the capitalization threshold; hiring of contractual or casual employees, whose salaries and other compensation benefits should be charged against Personnel Services allocations; and payment of other Capital Outlay items such as infrastructure projects.

DepEd said that its Budget Division is preparing the Sub-Allotment Release Order (AROs) to be downloaded to the respective Regional Offices. The target date of downloading to Regions is on March 4.