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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Abolish CIF; rechannel funds to education, other basic services --- group

Abolish CIF; rechannel funds to education, other basic services --- group

Published Oct 1, 2023 08:32 am

A group of education workers on Sunday, Oct. 1, called for the abolition of confidential and intelligence funds (CIF) and to rechannel the funds to education and other basic services.

Corazon Aquino ES.jpg
(MARK BALMORES / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)

“Habang naghihingalo ang kalagayan ng ating mga pampublikong sebisyo, nagpapakasasa ang mga may access sa confidential at intelligence fund sa mga perang mas maayos sanang magagamit ng mamamayan (While our public services are struggling, those with access to confidential and intelligence funds are enjoying funds that could have been better utilized by the citizens),” Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) Chairperson Vladimer Quetua said.

Quetua added that the “multitude” of intelligence funds and confidential funds allocated to agencies that have “no relevance” to national security should be redirected to the basic services budget instead.

In particular, ACT said that CIF can be used to address the perennial problems in basic education.

For instance, ACT suggested that CIF funds could be used to prioritize the following: building more classrooms and repairing those damaged during calamities; procuring more books for students; providing laptops for teachers; and improving facilities in public schools.

Meanwhile, ACT reminded the public that a “centavo expended by any government agency is a public fund” and that it should be used properly.

“We need to be more vigilant about the government spending because it is the people’s money and not their own money especially now that the economic crisis is worsening,” ACT said.

With this, ACT reiterates its call to abolish the P10.14 billion CIF in the 2024 budget.

“Hindi natin lulubayan ang pagbabantay ng pondo ng mamayan lalong lalo pa ang pondo para sana kinabukasan ng ating mga kabataan at kagalingan ng mga kaguruan (We will remain vigilant over the people's funds, especially those meant for the future of our youth and the well-being of our educators),” Quetua said.

“Patuloy tayong magbabantay upang tiyakin na ang sino mang magwawaldas sa kaban ng bayan ay mananagot (We will continue to watch to ensure that anyone who squanders the nation's coffers will be held accountable),” he added.

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