By Jelly F. Musico
MANILA, Oct. 5 (PNA) – In an effort to further improve the education system in the country, the government has almost doubled the funds allotted for the education sector under the present administration of President Benigno Aquino III, a Palace official said on Sunday.
Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary and presidential spokesperson Herminio ‘Sonny’ Coloma Jr. said for this year, the Department of Education (DepEd) has received Php309 billion budget compared to only P174 billion in 2010.
”It is part of our effort to further improve the education sector which is the key in enhancing the people’s abilities and skills based on President Aquino’s belief people are the nation’s important wealth,” Coloma said in an interview with Radyo ng Bayan.
For 2015, the DepEd has an increased proposed budget amounting to Php365 billion.
Coloma said under the proposed Php2.6-trillion budget for next year, the government allotted Php92.3 billion for the hiring of additional 39,000 teachers.
”The fund will also be used in the construction of classrooms and for teaching materials of the country’s public school teachers,” the PCOO chief said.
Aside from this, Coloma said the Aquino administration has also set aside Php2 billion for the training of public teachers who will be part of the massive implementation of the K-12 program.
Coloma said the government is joining the whole nation in honoring the teachers in celebration of the World Teacher’s Day and National Teacher’s Month which President Aquino declared through Proclamation No. 242 on Aug. 24, 2011.
”Through the world, the Philippines has set aside the longest time in celebrating the greatness of the teachers whom we recognized for their important contribution in molding the awareness and persona of our youth and citizenry,” he said.
Coloma said DepEd Secretary Bro. Armin Luistro urged everybody to write, text, tweet or call their former teachers to expressed appreciation for their sacrifices.
On the proposed Senate bill providing at least Php10,000 additional compensation for public teachers, Coloma said the proposal should take into consideration the availability of funds.
”We just have to know what are the budgetary parameters of that proposal,” he said.
Senate Bill 94, which Senate minority leader Alan Peter Cayetano proposed will give teachers additional compensation of Php9,000, support in the form of allowances and other remuneration from local school board funds, a Php1,000 allowance for medical check-up per year, and a bonus to answer for the unpaid benefits granted by the Magna Carta for Public School Teachers. (PNA)