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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Use confidential funds to buy electric fans for public schools, Pimentel tells DepEd

Use confidential funds to buy electric fans for public schools, Pimentel tells DepEd

Published Apr 24, 2023 01:00 pm
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Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III on Monday, April 24, suggested the distribution of electric fans at public schools to protect learners from the extreme summer heat being experienced in the archipelago. Pimentel opted for electric fans because air-conditioning units are expensive. For the purchase of electric fans, Pimentel said Department of Education (DepEd) could use their P150-million confidential funds embedded in the 2023 budget and even funds to address the Covid-19 pandemic. Pimentel had questioned and wanted to reduce the P150-million confidential fund for DepEd but this was kept in the budget because majority of the senators and congressmen voted for it. The Senate chief fiscalizer explained that there is no need for Congress to pass a measure to realign the confidential and pandemic funds, and its disbursement could be done on orders of DepEd authorities. In a related development, Pimentel said learners should not go to school or they should be dismissed early when the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) says the heat of the sun is at dangerous levels and that there should be make-up classes. He said school authorities should also consider the return of a school calendar where the summer vacation is during the months of April and May, and ensure that school buildings to be constructed in the future are well-ventilated.

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Sen. Koko Pimentel deped
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