MANILA, Philippines –Senate President, Francis “Chiz” Escudero, expressed his support for the decision to reduce the Department of Education’s budget for the next fiscal year.
During a bicameral conference committee, Escudero emphasized the department’s poor fund utilization, highlighting that over PHP 36.1 billion allocated for the computerization program remained unused.
The Department of Education had faced criticism over its inability to spend its allocated budget efficiently.
The funds in question were supposed to enhance the educational sector’s technological infrastructure.
Escudero’s comment came amid increasing calls for President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to reverse the decision and restore the department’s budget.
President Marcos has yet to make a public statement regarding the budget cut.