Compared to the P1.1 trillion budget it has proposed for 2021, the Department of Education (DepEd) said that it was able to get “around 55 percent” of its original request, or amounting to P605.7 billion for next year.

DepEd Undersecretary Annalyn Sevilla, during last week’s virtual press briefing, gave updates about the agency’s financial situation - particularly the proposed budget for 2021.

Sevilla explained that the original budget proposal of DepEd for 2021 has a total of P1,113,719,314 with a P547-billion Capital Outlay to fund all the requirements for infrastructure needs including wash facilities, classrooms and clinics.

“These are all in line with our plans for COVID Responsive Infrastructure of all the schools,” Sevilla said.

“However, we also know that the resources are limited for the 2021 budget and we got about 55 percent of our request,” she added.

Sevilla explained that DepEd has already completed the first two levels for its 2021 budget proposal.

“In the process, this means that we have finished the first level, that is the committee level, I think that was Sept. 15,” she said.

“On Oct. 15 was the second level - the plenary hearing or second reading is where the budget deliberation gets terminated which means that all the questioning at the level of DepEd has been completed,” Sevilla said. The next level is the third reading where “amendments will be incorporated.”

DepEd’s budget for 2020 is P552.9 billion.

For next year’s National Expenditure Program (NEP), DepEd’s proposal submitted at the executive level is P605.7 billion. This is 9.5% higher or equivalent to P52,752 billion increase compared to last year’s budget.

“This increase is mostly on the Personnel Services with 13.5% increase which covers the next tranche of the salary increase for 2021,” Sevilla explained.

Additionally, Sevilla said that there was also a 3.5% in the Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE).

However, there was an 18.2% decrease in the Capital Outlay which covers the budget for school building and other infrastructure facilities.

However, Sevilla clarified that DepEd has yet to be informed on the final budget approved for 2021.

“We still don’t know how much is the approved budget because we are still waiting for the official communication from the Lower House after they are done with the third reading,” she explained.

At the moment, Sevilla said that DepEd is working on a P605.7 billion budget for next year.

“Internally, DepEd held a post planning because we need to prepare for next year,” she explained. “We only have almost two months for this year so we need to plan the budget,” she added.

Sevilla noted that it is only after the bicameral meeting that the DepEd will find out the final approved budget for next year.

“Any changes in the lower house and changes in the Senate will be discussed and agreed upon in the bicam level,” she said.

“We are preparing and waiting for our final approval so we can also have final preparation for that year,” she ended.