DepEd on zero-budget for SPED, other programs: A 'recurring circumstance every year'
The Department of Education (DepEd) on Monday, Sept. 19 clarified that it has proposed a budget of P532 million for Special Education (SPED) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2023.

DepEd issued a statement to clarify and address “malicious and misleading” reports that it has deliberately excluded funding for the SPED Program.
Despite its “earnest efforts” to advocate for learners with special needs, DepEd said that the budget it has proposed “was not considered: in the National Expenditure Program (NEP).
READ: @DepEd_PH issues a statement to clarify and address "malicious and misleading" reports that it deliberately excluded funding for the Special Education Program in the 2023 budget @manilabulletin pic.twitter.com/SiV6gq7FM0
— Merlina Hernando-Malipot (@MB_InaHernando) September 19, 2022
This, DepEd said, is also true for two other programs that were excluded from the 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 previous years, DepEd said that it has likewise made “efforts within the organization to ensure that programs are supported.”
On social media, netizens continue to call out DepEd for including in its 2023 budget a P150-million “confidential fund.”
DepEd has no budget for SPED but has 150M confidential funds and 500M for OVP
— BC ㇏ ノ SHUT DOWN (@_BC4eva) September 19, 2022
Kung gusto talaga yan i-fund magagawan ng paraan. Eh yung confidential fund binigay. Sinong pinagloloko ng deped
— Lavinia (@maldita_bunana) September 18, 2022
In a press conference on Sept. 15, DepEd Spokesman Michael Poa said that the P150-M confidential fund will be used for the agency's programs “in line with national security and public safety.”
Poa also assured that the utilization of the said funds will be “compliant” with corresponding issuances of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and Commission on Audit (COA).
The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) Philippines, in a statement issued Sept. 15, urged DepEd to “rechannel” the P150-M confidential funds to the learning needs of Filipino students.
ACT questioned the allocation of P150 million in confidential funds in the DepEd’s proposed 2023 budget and asserted that it will be of “better use” if utilized to fill in the many shortages in learning needs in the country.
READ: https://mb.com.ph/2022/09/15/deped-urged-to-rechannel-p150-m-confidential-funds-to-learning-needs/
Vice President and DepEd Secretary Sara Duterte, during the House Appropriations Committee hearing on DepEd’s 2023 budget on Sept. 14, said the proposed P150-million “confidential funds” were meant for initiatives that would protect students in schools from illegal activities — among others.
RELATED STORY:
https://mb.com.ph/2022/09/15/congress-urged-to-arm-education-agencies-with-sufficient-resources/