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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Despite lack of budget for other programs, DepEd justifies need for 'confidential funds' 

Despite lack of budget for other programs, DepEd justifies need for 'confidential funds' 

Published Sep 19, 2022 09:04 am

The Department of Education (DepEd) on Monday, Sept. 19, justified the need for “confidential funds” for the agency in its 2023 budget despite the lack of allocated funds in some of its existing programs.

DepEd / MANILA BULLETIN

“Confidential expenses are allowed for all civilian offices, including the Department of Education,” the agency said in a statement.

DepEd furthered that requesting confidential funds has a “solid legal basis” as provided under the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Joint Circular 2015-01.

The agency issued that statement as netizens called out DepEd and its Secretary, Vice President Sara Duterte, for requesting P150 million in confidential funds for 2023 despite the lack of budget for its other existing programs and projects of the department.

READ:

https://mb.com.ph/2022/09/19/deped-on-zero-budget-for-sped-other-programs-a-recurring-circumstance-every-year/

DepEd said that it has requested confidential funds in the 2023 budget to “enlighten our stakeholders that DepEd does not only face problems with access, equity, and quality education but also has to contend with pressing issues on safety and security.”

In requesting confidential funds, DepEd pointed out that threats to the learning environment, safety, and security of its personnel are “interlocking with the mandate of support to the national security of civilian offices.”

DepEd noted that some learners become victims of sexual abuse and all other forms of violence while there are also personnel who are involved in graft and corruption.

READ:

https://mb.com.ph/2022/09/15/deped-continues-to-receive-reports-of-abuse-vs-students-through-hotline/

Learners and personnel, DepEd alleged, are also involved in illegal drugs.

Confidential expenses, DepEd said, will also be used to address recruitment to insurgency, terrorism, violent extremism child labor; child pornography; and recruitment to criminal activities, gangsterism, and financial and other scams among learners and its personnel.

DepEd stressed that these “pressing issues” --- which by their “nature of being unlawful” ---- need the support of “surveillance and intelligence” gathering to ensure that projects of the agency are “target-specific” and will result in the “broader protection” of personnel and students.

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.

DepEd supervises all elementary and secondary education institutions, including alternative learning systems, both public and private.

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.”

RELATED STORY:

https://mb.com.ph/2022/09/15/deped-urged-to-rechannel-p150-m-confidential-funds-to-learning-needs/

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