Administrations passed but the situation on streamlining programs and budgets in government agencies remain problematic. Our economy have grown critically, pressing more serious issues and higher demand for an effective mechanism that will drive all sectors uphill and sustain growth.
The truth is, development is expensive. It is an all-encompassing word, requiring large commitment of efforts and resources in order to meet. It is a status that is hard to attain even by the highest rank of countries. It has to be worked on every day, by everyone for it’s a process — the longer, the harder and all the more consuming.
And if there is a surest way to make development bigger, it has to be investing on education.
In the international setting, the ideal budget allotment for education require six percent of a country’s GDP leaving way behind our Department of Education’s budget posted at three percent. Currently, DepEd has P436 billion to spend over projects. While it stands as the sector taking the largest chunk of our national budget, the department is still adjudged to be severely unfunded. Not to mention, it requires massive budget to address long standing issues on education and fully implement and meet criticisms on its basic education system.
President Rodrigo Duterte already made his vow of committing all earnings of Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) for health services and education. However, the same is not appealing to Education Secretary Leonor Briones claiming that though the end is ultimately for national development, gambling is still anti-developmental. In fact, it may also lead to other more serious social problems.
With this, Secretary Briones remains firm with her position despite her seeking a P45 billion increase to DepEd budget for the expansion of Alternative Learning System (ALS) program which aims to cater learners who cannot be accommodated by K-to-12 along with other students discouraged to take formal education. Specifically, it is tailored for out-of-school youths and the aged. This does not only serve as a practical option allowing them to study anytime and anywhere through modular and flexible programs but also allows them to acquire equal chances of learning towards competitiveness.
Everyone deserves to be educated. Wherever the source of funding may come from, be it from PAGCOR, national taxes or other revenue raising activities of the government, we cannot deny the fact that our country is in light of scarce resources. It’s either the government will raise more revenues or better streamline the bureaucratic system allowing priority projects and serious national issues be addressed expeditiously.
And if we shall speak of corruption, that’s another story.
By: Lourdes L. Manguiob | Teacher III | Samal National High School
