NI NOEL ABUEL
Aabot sa mahigit 90 state university and colleges sa buong bansa ang nanawagan na ibalik ang binawas na pondo sa mga eskuwelahan sa 2023 National Expenditure Program at sa nakatakdang pagbabalik ng face-to-face classes.
Sa inihaing House Resolution no. 403 nina Kabataan party list Rep. Raoul Manuel, ACT Teachers party list Rep. France Castro at Gabrila party list Rep. Arlene Brosas, hiniling ng mga ito sa House Committee on Appropriations na ikonsidera ang 2023 national budget sa SUCs na P93.08 bilyon na binawasan ng P10.89 bilyon mula sa kasalukuyang P103.97 bilyon.
“Cuts in operating costs will adversely impact the capacity of SUCs to safely reopen their campuses for full face-to-face classes amid the COVID-19 pandemic. SUCs have also been given limited fiscal space for capital outlay which they strive to augment with their own revenue-generating sources,” nakasaad sa inihaing resolusyon ng mga ito.
“There is also a need to provide an immediate supplementary budget to facilitate further the safe reopening of schools through funding of Proper Ventilation of Learning Spaces, On-Campus Health Facilities and Supplies, Hiring of Human Resources for Health, Support for Private Educational Institutions, Medical Fund for Free Treatment, Internet Allowance for Teachers, Devices for Teachers, Compensation for Work Rendered in Excess of Teaching Hours and Additional Compensation for Co-curricular Activities, Hazard Pay for Teachers and Education Personnel, and Student Aid,” dagdag pa nito.
Giit ng mga ito, malaking hamon sa mga SUCs ang kakulangan ng pondo para sa capital and equipment outlay sa mga eskuwelahan na naapektuhan ng kalamidad tulad ng bagyo at lindol.
“For years, our constituents have called for greater state funding for education. An additional budget is needed for our learning institutions to regain their public character and provide ample support for student services and faculty development. If our state universities and colleges are to be expected to perform duties at their duties, they must be funded accordingly,” anila.
Sinasabing sa 116 SUCs, 81 ang maapektuhan ng bawas pondo habang 115 eskuwelahan ang maaapektuhan ang kanilang operating budget at 83 paaralan ang mababawasan ang capital outlay at 17 naman ang mababawasan sa kanilang personnel services.
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