Deeper Into the Cut: National Budget on Education in Focus

Deeper Into the Cut: National Budget on Education in Focus

A Stand Making Discussion Group on the Issues Concerning the National Budget for Education in the Philippines

December 3, 2010 4:30PM UP ETC Tambayan

Facilitator: Hazell Mae Roxas

Objectives:

1. To present facts regarding the national budget on education, particularly in SUC’s and in U.P.

2. To look into different viewpoints on the said issue

3. To solicit opinions regarding the said issue

Definition of Terms:

A. General Appropriations Act

• “shall be presented in the form of budgetary programs and projects for each agency of the government”

B. Article XIV Section 5

• “The State shall assign the highest budgetary priority to education and ensure that teaching will attract and retain its rightful share of the best available talents through adequate remuneration and other means of job satisfaction and fulfillment.”

C. Conditional Veto

• “It is defined as a veto in which the President objects to parts of a Bill and proposes amendments and conditions to make it acceptable.”

D. Conditional Cash Transfer

• “a program that distributes money to its beneficiaries in exchange of certain commitments”

Top Recipient of Budget Allocation:

• Since 2008, the DepEd and SUC were among the Top 10 Recepient of the Highest Budget Allocation along with other departments and agencies of the government such as the DPWH, DND, DA, DILG, DTC, DOH and the like

Facts Regarding the Budget on Education:

• The budget is separated from that of the SUC
• Receives the highest allocation
• Increased from Php 193B in 2009, Php 161B in 2010, to Php 192B in the 2011 Proposed Budget

Facts on SUC Budget

• SUC Budget has been decreasing since 2010. From the budget of Php 23.9B in 2009, Php 23.8 in 2010, to Php 23.4B in the 2011 Proposed Budget

Facts on UP Budget

• Receives the most budget out of all the SUC in the Philippines
• In nominal terms, the Total UP Budget has decreased in 2010 (from Php 8.2B in 2009) and now decreased by Php1.4B in the 2011 budget proposal (from Php6.9B in 2010)
• However, these decreases have been brought about by the evident loss in capital outlay (ie. Buildings)
• The MOOE of the university has decreased from Php 960M in 2009, Php 1.3B in 2010 to Php 653M in the 2011 Budget Proposal
• The PS of the university increased from Php 4B in 2009, Php 4.2B in 2010 to Php 4.8B in the 2011 Budget Proposal
• The CO of the university decreased from Php 2B in 2009, Php1.2B in 2010 to zero in the 2011 Budget Proposal
• The estimated budget of the administration for UP is Php 18B

Defenses:

A. P-Noy

• Prioritizing of the Basic Education
• Proposed Budget for the Whole Education Sector actually increased
• Proposed Budget for 2011 is actually higher for the SUC
• CCT are meant to aide those people who are in the brink of “drowning”

B. Sen. Sotto

• Sufficient Funds for SUC

C. Sen. Drilon

• Insertions brought “speculations” of Budget Cut
• No Budget Cut in reality

Criticisms:

A. Kabataan Partylist

• Cuts in Capital Outlay
• Inflation actually offsets the Nominal increase in the SUC Budget
• Tuition and Other Fee Increases from the encouragement of the Government for a Self-Sufficient and Financially Independent University
• Salary Standardization Law removes Aquino’s right to gain credit for the nominal increase
• “Real Priorities” of the Government are “petty” such as CCT, Pork Barrel, Debt Servicing, National Defense and the like

B. Sen. Cayetano

• No “Real” Increase
• Support for Student Activist

C. UC Statement

• Support for the Students and Other Sectors fighting for an increase in the UP Budget
• Long-Term Budget instead of Annual

Guide Question:

1. Do you think that tertiary education is a right or a privilege? Why?

References:

1. Websites:

• http://www.chanrobles.com/republicactno6670.htm
• http://diliman-diary.blogspot.com/2010/11/no-actual-cut-in-suc-budget-says.html
• http://www.gov.ph/2010/11/30/education-remains-a-priority-briefer-on-the-education-and-suc-budget-for-2011/
• http://kabataanpartylist.com/blog/response-to-aquino-government-lies-about-suc-budget-cuts/
• http://www.thepoc.net/thepoc-features/politi-ko/politiko-features/10123-conditional-cash-transfer-scheme.html

2. Documents:

• 1987 Philippine Constitution
• Summary of Obligations and Proposed Appropriations, by Department/Agency/Fund, CY 2009 – 2011
• 2011 NEP, Department of Budget and Management
• 2009 and 2010 GAA, Department of Budget and management