Senate panel allots over P1B for retrofitting of SUCs, public schools for physical classes

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MANILA, Philippines — The Senate finance panel has added over P1 billion to the 2022 budget of state universities and colleges (SUCs) and public schools in 2022 in a bid to help them retrofit their facilities for face-to-face classes, Senator Sonny Angara said Tuesday.

“There are funds for the adjustments of our public schools and universities next year…We added over a billion,” Angara said in an online interview with reporters.

During Tuesday’s session, Angara endorsed for plenary approval the 2022 General Appropriations Bill.

“Magsisimula na po sa buwan na ito ang limited implementation of face-to-face classes sa 100 paaralan sa mga lugar na sinasabing mababa ang risk level,” he said.

(This month, the limited implementation of face-to-face classes will start in 100 schools in areas that are low risk.)

READ: DepEd identifies 100 public schools for pilot of face-to-face classes on Nov 15

“Napakahalaga na pagkatapos ng pilot implementation ng face to face classes ngayong buwan, tuloy tuloy ang mga madadagdag na paaralan na mabubuksan na muli,’ he added.

(It is important that after the face-to-face classes this month, we continuously open up more schools.)

According to Angara,  the additional P1-billion budget can be used to modify the layout and ventilation of the classrooms to fit health standards.

“Ito’y para din sa COVID-19 testing ng mga faculty at staff at pagbili sa iba’t-ibang supplies at kagamitan na kailangan para maimplementa ang mga safety protocols at standards,” the senator added.

(This can also be used for the COVID-19 testing of faculty and staff as well as the purchase of various supplies to implement safety protocols and standards.)

Further, the senator said, the additional funding can also be used for transportation assistance to students, faculty members, and other education personnel, such as the procurement of bicycles and other non-motorized forms of transportation for their use.

KGA