Confidential funds allowed for civilian offices — DepEd

MANILA, Philippines — Confidential funds are permitted for civilian offices, the Department of Education (DepEd) stressed on Monday.

The DepEd’s statement came after questions were raised about its P150-million confidential fund.

“Confidential expenses are allowed for all civilian offices, including the Department of Education. This has solid legal basis as provided under [Department of Budget and Management] Joint Circular 2015-01,” DepEd said.

“The threats to the learning environment, safety, and security of DepEd personnel are interlocking with the mandate of support to the national security of civilian offices,” it added.

Vice President Sara Duterte, who concurrently sits as education chief, earlier defended that the confidential funds could be used to address violence including sexual abuse, graft, corruption, illegal drugs, insurgency, terrorism, and child labor, among others.

READ: Sara Duterte defends DepEd’s confidential funds: Basic education has ‘direct link’ to nat’l security

The DepEd said that the issues are just among the unlawful acts that “need the support of surveillance and intelligence gathering to ensure that projects of DepEd are target-specific and will result in the broader protection of our personnel and learners.”

Progressive group Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) called on DepEd to rechannel its P150-million confidential funds to respond to learning shortages such as laptops, books, and hiring of school security personnel.

READ: ACT asks DepEd to reallocate P150M ‘confidential funds’ to learning needs

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