Capitol earmarks P154M for education

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu provincial government has set aside at least P154 million for its Special Education Fund (SEF) this year, which is P21 million higher compared to last year’s appropriation.

The Provincial School Board (PSB) intends to utilize the budget for the construction of additional classrooms and purchase of instructional materials, among others.

Among PSB’s plans and programs for 2018 are construction of school buildings (P39.8 million); financial assistance to elementary and second schools (P37.5 million) and local government units’ operations (P29 million); purchase of supplementary reading materials (P20 million), 15,000 monoblock armchairs (P10 million), 10 robotics kits  for science high schools (P6 million), and tents for school districts (P4.4 million).

Others include allocations for sports-related activities, including the Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association (P10.1 million), and the provincial meet (P2.2 million).

Provincial Board Member Christopher “Dong” Baricuatro, who heads the PB’s committee on education, said the PSB targets to construct 45 school buildings throughout the province.

Each school building has two classrooms. Each classroom can accommodate up to 40 students.

Last year, the province was able to construct 60 school buildings, which are calamity-resilient structures.

Also, Baricuatro said two library hubs will be constructed in the islands of Bantayan and Camotes. It will be a joint venture between the province and the Department of Education.

“They’re [DepEd] planning to help us sa construction and renovation sa classrooms, and the school board will provide the materials,” he said.

The province is set to purchase P14 million worth of reading materials, which will be  distributed to the existing four library hubs in the towns of Cordova, Tabogon, Balamban, and Alcoy.

Each library will receive at least 18, 000 books.

The province has also allocated P38 million for the purchase of school bags and supplies. The budget increased by P14.8 million compared to last year’s P23.3 million.

“Hopefully this year, mapaspasan ang innovation,” said Baricuatro.

Moreover, he said the province will hold an awarding for “Best Teacher and Principal” this year. (FREEMAN)