By Gabriela Baron
The Department of Education (DepEd) clarified on Monday, Sept. 19, that it proposed a budget of P532 million for special education for 2023.
However, DepEd said that the budget was not considered in the National Expenditure Program (NEP).
“This is a recurring circumstance every year, and DepEd is not at a loss because we always work with members of Congress to find other ways to fund DepEd programs,” DepEd said.
“In the past years, DepEd has likewise made efforts within the organization to ensure that programs are supported,” it added.
For Fiscal Year 2022 and 2021, SPED was granted P560 million and P329 million, respectively, under the General Appropriations Act.
DepEd made the clarification following reports alleging that the Education department “deliberately excluded funding for the Special Education Program.” – gp
