The Department of Education (DepEd) officially announced that it would receive a higher allocation this year following the approval of the 2022 national budget.
In the General Appropriations Act (GAA), P631.77 billion was given to DepEd as allocation at the bicameral level, the agency said in a statement issued Tuesday, Jan. 4.
This amount is 6.34 percent higher compared to its 2021 GAA at P594.11 billion, DepEd explained.
Of the P631.77 billion, the DepEd-Office of the Secretary has an allocation of P591.18 billion.
DepEd said that its attached agencies would receive the remainder.
There are six agencies attached to DepEd: the Early Childhood Care and Development Council (ECCD Council), National Book Development Board (NBDB), National Council for Children's Television (NCCT), National Museum, Philippine High School for the Arts (PHSA), and the newly-formed National Academy of Sports (NAS).
Meanwhile, some of DepEd's major programs also saw increases in the 2022 budget.
These programs include Learning Tools and Equipment with a P2.72-B increase; DepEd Computerization Program that increased by P11.76B; and Basic Education Facilities that saw a P5.94-B increase.
The budget for the Last Mile Schools Program also increased by P1.51B.
The Last Mile Schools Program aimed to address the gaps in resources and facilities of schools located in geographically isolated and disadvantaged, and conflict-affected areas (GIDCA).
Aside from these, DepEd said that the Madrasah Education Program also received a P356.83-M increase. The budget for Indigenous Peoples Education (IPEd) also increased by P144.3M in the 2022 budget.
This year, DepEd said it has initially proposed a total P1.37 trillion budget.