DepEd to allocate P51B to Central Visayas amid disaster recovery

The Department of Education (DepEd) will give out P51.45 billion to Cebu province and the rest of Region 7 to fund educational needs and support, especially after the onslaught of consecutive disasters in the region.

The allocation will cater to upgrades in infrastructure, increase in personnel and staff, and other educational initiatives following the impacts of the magnitude 6.9 earthquake in September and typhoon Tino in November.

During the forum “Usapang Budget Natin” in Cebu on Feb. 20, DepEd Assistant Secretary Edson Byron Sy presented the breakdown of the allocated fund for important aspects to recover and rebuild quality education in the region. 

He revealed that P607 million will be for the construction of 187 Learning Continuity Spaces, 21 Last Mile Schools classrooms, and 538 sets of school furniture to address matters on teaching-learning facilities especially in geographically isolated and disadvantaged places. 

Sy also presented that P497 million will be for the establishment of 971 new teaching positions, 352 school principalship positions, and 583 school counselor associate positions.

An additional P2.2 billion is also set to be given for the entry and expansion of vacant positions including non-teaching roles and project development officers to allow teachers to focus on teaching instead of administrative workload.

As for nutrition and health, Sy said that P1.78 billion will be allocated for the school-based feeding program, benefiting kindergarten and elementary pupils, adolescent pregnant students, and students from marginalized communities.

For teaching and learning equipment, P514.4 million will be funded for over 9,000 laptops for teaching purposes, 200 laptops for non-teaching works, 350 smart television packages, and more than 80 e-learning packages for technology-assisted setups. 

A total of P137.1 million will be invested for over 5.5 million textbooks and instructional materials, ensuring learners’ capability of having learning resources. 

Sy also said that the implementation of the Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) program will commence this year. This initiative aims to deploy around 40,000 tutors and cover 400,000 learners to monitor academic progress and regain quality learning.

DepEd will also provide essential emergency kits, assuring stable educational status despite calamities. 

Sy highlighted the agency’s commitment and cooperation within local government units in advancing their goals in supporting needs in Central Visayas.

“When we invest in education, we invest in our future,” he said.