The Department of Education (DepEd) on Friday, Sept. 29, defended anew its request for P150 million in confidential funds under its 2023 budget, noting that it will be used for initiatives that are “part and parcel” of its mandate: the protection of learners.
Education Spokesperson Michael Poa, after the joint press conference with the Office of the Vice President (OVP), reiterated the legality of DepEd’s request for confidential funds in its budget for next year.
READ:
https://mb.com.ph/2022/09/19/despite-lack-of-budget-for-other-programs-deped-justifies-need-for-confidential-funds/
“I do not have information if this is the first time that DepEd asked confidential funds but, as we have already previously stated, these confidential funds are going to be utilized in compliance with the DBM joint circular which allows national government agencies to have confidential funds and also with other COA and DBM issuances,” Poa said when asked to clarify DepEd’s request for confidential funds under its 2023 budget.
DepEd’s request for confidential funds in its 2023 budget has been drawing flak among education stakeholders.
Various groups have also been urging DepEd to realign the confidential funds for other programs and projects of the agency to address gaps in resources, among others.
READ:
https://mb.com.ph/2022/09/15/deped-urged-to-rechannel-p150-m-confidential-funds-to-learning-needs/
However, Poa stressed that in DepEd, there are “other problems” aside from the delivery of quality basic education. “Hinaharap din natin yung problema sa pagsisigurado na ligtas ang ating mga mag-aaral (We’re also having problems in ensuring that our learners remain safe) against all these forms of abuses and criminal activities,” he explained.
In the past few weeks, Poa mentioned of are sexual grooming cases, sexual abuse, and cases of selling drugs in schools— whether it be from the outside or the teachers or learners — received by DepEd.
READ:
https://mb.com.ph/2022/09/15/deped-continues-to-receive-reports-of-abuse-vs-students-through-hotline/
“There are also cases of criminal activities in schools and that is why these confidential funds are vital so that we could have proper surveillance or intelligence dito sa mga elemento na naghihikayat sa ating mga mag-aaral na gumawa ng (against elements that push our learners to commit) criminal activities,” he explained.
Through the use of these confidential funds, Poa said a “target-specific” program will be in place.
“The confidential funds, he said will be used for the protection of our learners,” he maintained.
Asked if there will be possible duplication or overlapping since there are other agencies in charge of such cases, Poa said that there will be none. “That is actually the distinction between what we call ‘intelligence funds’ and what we call ‘confidential funds’ like the military or the police,” he explained.
Poa reiterated that confidential funds are given to national government agencies for their “respective mandate.” “On the part of DepEd, we have asked for confidential funds — which is not the same as intelligence funds — for the protection of learners which is part and parcel of the mandate of DepEd,” he added.
To note, DepEd’s mandate is to formulate, implement, and coordinate policies, plans, programs, and projects in the areas of formal and non-formal basic education.
It is also mandated to provide for the establishment and maintenance of a “complete, adequate, and integrated system of basic education relevant to the goals of national development.”
DepEd supervises all elementary and secondary education institutions, including alternative learning systems, both public and private.
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