THE Department of Education (DepEd) aims aiming to surpass its budget utilization rate (BUR) last year of 97 percent amid challenges posed by Covid-19.
“For 2021, we are aiming to maintain 96 percent or even surpass 97 percent for BUR,” DepEd Undersecretary for Finance Annalyn M. Sevilla said. Sevilla also expressed gratitude to personnel of the DepEd, especially those in its units “that stopped or suspended operations.”
Recording an 8-percent increase in BUR from 88 percent in 2015 to 96 percent in 2020, Sevilla attributed the achievement to “simplification of public financial management processes and decentralization of fund management, which promotes accountability, transparency and competency as funds are being downloaded to the regional, division and implementing schools.”
Contributing, too, according to the official, was lawmakers’ approval to extend the implementation period of the 2021 Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE) and capital outlay budget until December 2022.
The GAA 2022 also increased the MOOE capitalization threshold from P15,000 to P50,000, which will redefine the use of school-MOOE and benefit schools that can now procure higher quality gadgets or equipment needed for the limited face-to-face classes, according to Sevilla.
She also noted in her year-end report the following gains: establishment of technical working groups; the institutionalization of the delivery unit of the Education Program Management Office (EPMO); partnership with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the National Quincentennial Committee (NQC), the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) and the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP); recommendation of new employee uniform; submission of the 2020 performance based bonus; enhancement of automatic payroll deduction system program; and, improvements in the GSIS financial assistance loan and waiver of interest rates in these loans.
Sevilla also shared her office plans to increase the provident fund loan limit from P100,000 to P200,000, decentralize approval of loans to SDO level and establish a new provident fund that will allow personal contribution and give more benefits to employees.
ALS funding
EDUCATION Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones expressed hcited the national government’s support for basic education as “strong.” This as President Rodrigo Duterte increased funding for the Alternative Learning System (ALS) and the expansion of the use of funds for the MOOE of the DepEd.
In his veto message on the passing of the 2022 National Budget, Duterte applauded “the relentless efforts of the [DepEd] in pursuing its mandate in the face of the persisting public health emergency due to Covid-19 by continuing to provide quality education to our learners through the [ALS] programs.”
“I commend our teachers, coordinators and facilitators for their unwavering commitment and sacrifices in adapting to the new learning environment” added the president.
The appropriated P559 million under Flexible Learning Options (FLO) has been identified for the implementation of ALS programs, which includes the delivery of ALS services, ALS Community Learning Centers and for transportation and teaching aid allowance for ALS teachers and ALS Community Implementors.
In addition, the President also allowed for the modification of the issued allotment for MOOE to aid in “the gradual reopening of schools and campuses currently being undertaken with utmost regard for the safety of students, faculty and staff, which includes initiating adjustments on the classroom set-up, such as appropriate lay-out and proper ventilation among others.”