llgames168 Palace maintains DepEd has highest allocation in 2025 budget
MANILA, Philippines — The Palace maintained that the Department of Education (DepEd) has a higher budget in 2025 than the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
slot machineExecutive Secretary Lucas Bersamin made the pronouncement on Tuesday after budget critics pointed out that the education sector’s budget ranked higher only due to the inclusion of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) and the Philippine Military Academy (PMA), which fall under a different government sector.
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Article continues after this advertisementWithout the PNPA and the PMA, the DPWH’s budget was larger than that of the education sector.
FEATURED STORIES NEWSINFO Labor groups join call to halt SSS premium hike NEWSINFO Man killed, one hurt over loud videoke session in Cavite NEWSINFO SEA Games gold medalist Mervin Guarte stabbed, dies in MindoroHowever, according to Bersamin, the language of the Constitution is not specific; therefore, education must be looked at with a broader understanding.
“Before, the treatment was that the education budget was only what was allocated to DepEd. That was the wisdom at that time,” Bersamin said in a mix of Filipino and English.
Article continues after this advertisement“But then, so many things have happened. The responsibility for education has been shifted to other government agencies. So for everyone to claim that this shouldn’t be included in the education sector just because it’s under the PNP or the AFP—it’s not right, okay,” he added.
Article continues after this advertisementFurthermore, Bersamin said DepEd is not the only agency in the education sector; it merely had the “greater portion of the education pie.”
Article continues after this advertisementHe noted other educational institutions included in the sector, like the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), state universities and colleges, and the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd).
“So, the veto that the President made on the DPWH ended with the education having a bigger budget; it complied with the Constitution,” Bersamin explained.
While Nippon’s $14.9 billion takeover of Pittsburgh-based US Steel still faces significant challenges in the wake of furious bipartisan political opposition, the decision was greeted by US Steel and condemned by the steelworkers union, which has fought the deal.
Article continues after this advertisementREAD: Marcos vetoes flood control projects in 2025 national budget
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