By Stephanie Sevillano | Philippine News Agency
MANILA – The Department of Education (DepEd) on Monday (March 28) assured schools there are additional funds for the preparation of the progressive expansion of limited in-person classes.
The Teachers Dignity Coalition (TDC) in a Facebook Livestream slammed the national government for allegedly “taking advantage” of teachers’ generosity following reports that some teachers are using their resources for the preparation of limited face-to-face classes.
In a Viber message, DepEd Undersecretary Annalyn Sevilla told the Philippine News Agency that some regional offices started downloading the additional funds for maintenance and other operating expenses (Schools-MOOE) last March 4.
“Napakahalaga ng agarang aksyon, lalo sa usaping pinansyal, pagdating sa pagpapatuloy ng edukasyon nitong nakalipas na dalawang taon. Kaya’t prayoridad din namin, at sa direksyon ni Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones, na maging maagap sa pagpaplano at i-anticipate ang pangangailangan ng ating mga personnel, teachers, at learners. (Immediate action is very important, especially for the financial aspect. When it comes to the resumption of classes in the last two years. Our priority, as per the directive of Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones, [is to] act immediately in planning and anticipate the needs of our personnel, teachers, and learners,” she said.
Sevilla said some P936 million out of the P977 million Schools-MOOE fund have been downloaded by the DepEd regional offices.
“May natitira pang P41.48-million sa Central Office bilang buffer fund. Ang mga Regional Offices ay magbibigay ng pondo sa mga Division Offices base sa dami ng schools na sasali sa Progressive Expansion (There’s still P41.48-million remaining in Central Office as buffer fund. The regional offices will be distributing the funds to the division offices based on the number of schools that will join the Progressive Expansion),” she added.
Meanwhile, the DepEd also recognized the participation and initiative of teachers and other stakeholders in the community.
“Kinikilala din natin sa DepEd ang kahalagahan ng partisipasyon ng ating mga guro kasama ang komunidad, LGU, at mga organisasyon tulad ng PTA sa ‘shared responsibility’ pagdating sa paghahanda ng ating mga paaralan (We in the DepEd recognize the value of teachers’ participation, including the community, local government units, and organizations such as Parents Teachers Association for their ‘shared responsibility’, when it comes to the preparations of our schools),” Sevilla said.
The DepEd also urged the school heads of identified schools included in the progressive expansion of face-to-face classes to coordinate with the division and regional offices for the additional funds. (PNA)
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