INQUIRER PHOTO / NIÑO JESUS ORBETA
MANILA, Philippines — A youth group on Wednesday appealed for the restoration of budget cuts in state universities and colleges (SUCs) in the country.
In a statement signed by at least 20 SUC administrators, the Kabataan party-list called for the restoration of budget cuts and an increase in the fund to align with the implementation of face-to-face classes.
“We call for the restoration of budget cuts to our SUCs as these cuts only add to the challenges that SUCs face,” Kabataan said in a statement.
Based on the proposed national budget for 2023, SUCs were allocated funds amounting to P93.08 billion, lower than this year’s P103.97 billion budget.
Due to this decrease, 81 out of 116 SUCs will have a cut in their overall budget, said Kabataan.
In addition, 115 schools will decrease their operations budget, 83 in their capital outlay, and 17 in their personnel services.
The proposed budget for SUCs in 2023 includes cuts to the free higher education program totaling P1.8 billion.
According to Kabataan, these “cuts in operating costs will adversely impact the capacity of SUCs to safely implement face-to-face classes while COVID-19 still lingers.”
“SUCs have also been given limited fiscal space for capital outlay which they strive to augment with their own revenue-generating sources,” it added.
Kabataan also noted the massive destruction caused by earthquakes and typhoons to several SUCs because more money is needed for classroom expansion, new technology, and earthquake and typhoon damage repairs.
It then noted that an additional budget for learning institutions is needed to “regain their public character and provide ample support for student services and faculty development.”
“If our state universities and colleges are to be expected to do their duties, they must be funded accordingly,” Kabataan added. Christian Paul Dela Cruz, INQUIRER.net trainee
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