The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) doesn't think the P3 billion that had been allocated for the Commission on Higher Education's (CHEd) "smart campuses" program is enough.
Makati City 2nd district Rep. Luis Campos Jr., sponsor of the DICT budget in the ongoing plenary debates on 2021 national budget, had this to say Thursday on behalf of the agency when a House colleague asked for an update on the campus connectivity effort.
"Yung budget po na iyon ay hahatiin sa dami ng SUCs. Bagamat sa unang iglap ay makikitang malaki, pag hinati-hati na po yan (That budget will be divided among the State Universities and Colleges. Although the amount seems huge at first glace, once it is divided)...hopefully it will suffice. But it may be lacking," said Campos, an Appropriations Committee vice-chairman.
Campos said that the DICT only has an "advisory and recommendatory" role on the smart campuses program, with the disbursement of the P3 billion placed under CHEd. He said that each SUC may end up with an average of P30 million to implement the program.
Last month, CHED Chairman Prospero de Vera told senators that the amount wasn't enough to turn all state-run tertiary education institutions into smart campuses.
The solon-interpellator, Kabataan Party-List Rep. Sarah Elago, said the Bayanihan to Heal Recover as One Act--signed by President Duterte last September 11--contained the allocation for SUCs.
Elago highlighted the importance of properly utilizing the fund amid the shift toward distancing learning as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Napakalaking bagay na may P3 billion para tumulong sa paglalatag ng pundasyon ng smart campuses. Tama po kayo na hindi naman ito talaga mapupunan yung buong pangangailangan pero yung mismong paglalatag ng pundasyon ngayon na ay kailangan na po nating simulan (Having the P3 billion to lay down the foundation of these smart campuses is a big deal. While you're correct that it's not enough, we must start laying the foundation down now)," she said.
Campos reported that the CHEd and DICT have already held a consultation meeting together and that the latter agency is now "creating a template on the recommendations and guidelines to be observed by the SUCs on how to use the P30 million."
The sponsor acknowledged that the involved agencies are on the clock with regard the smart campuses.
"Theoretically before the end of the year dapat maipatupad na, up to this year lang ang pondo. (Theoretically it must be implemented before the end of the year, the fund expires after this year)," he said.
"Kung gusto ng DICT na pabilisin ang Internet (sa SUCs), kailangang pabilisin ang paggamit ng pondo. (If the DICT wants faster Internet for SUCs, then they must use the fund faster)," Campos said.