House, DepEd to find funds for more classrooms, pay hikes – Speaker

Speaker Martin Romualdez —Photo from House of Representatives

MANILA, Philippines — Both the Department of Education (DepEd) and the House of Representatives committee on appropriations would work to find funds that can be allocated to pay hikes for teachers, and the construction of more classrooms, Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez said on Thursday.

Romualdez in his speech during the 2024 National Teachers’ Month held in Quezon City said that the House would stay true to its promise to support DepEd’s programs, and improve the salaries received by teachers.

READ: Solons blast low budget use, non-delivery of laptops of DepEd under Sara

“In all of the challenges that you face, we in Congress must stress that we will not waver in our promise to give you (in the Department of Education) our continued support in your programs, not just for the laws that we pass, but for the betterment of our teachers as well,” he said during the Teacher’s Month’s culminating program.

“And this includes higher pay, more benefits, which should extend to more opportunities for training and progress of everyone,” he added.

READ: Solons want probe into different issues hounding DepEd

According to Romualdez, he, along with former senator and now Education Secretary Sonny Angara and appropriations head Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Elizaldy Co were also about how classrooms and adequate equipment can be brought to schools.

The House has approved the proposed 2025 national budget or the General Appropriations Bill, but a small committee has been tasked to finalize the draft with consideration to proposed amendments.

“Secretary Angara and I were whispering to each other, and I consulted with the chairperson of the appropriations committee of the House, and we will ensure that we will add classroom buildings and equipment like laptops and computers,” Romualdez said.

“Our promise will definitely not end up as mere lip service. The administration of President Marcos will make sure that you are equipped with all the necessary tools that will advance your chosen career, but will also ultimately redound to the benefit of our future leaders,” he added.

The promise of more classrooms and equipment for DepEd came weeks after the department’s past administration was scrutinized for not being able to deliver programs efficiently.

At the deliberations of DepEd’s proposed 2025 budget before the committee on appropriations last September 2, lawmakers called out past managers of DepEd as only P2.18 billion out of P11.36 billion funds for computers, laptops, and smart television sets were spent.

Lawmakers also called for a separate probe into Commission on Audit (COA) reports stating that 10 out of 17 regions received spoiled milk and bread for DepEd’s school-based feeding program.

Romualdez said that teachers deserve the best that the government can offer as they have sacrificed their lives for the country’s youth.

“We salute our teachers who have made sacrifices beyond their limits, who always go out of their way to help our students learn so that they will be fully prepared for the realities and struggles of life the moment they enter our labor force,” he said. “Your devotion and dedication, not to mention your passion, to work is beyond question. And we are all grateful for that. You have made it your vow to nourish our children into making them productive citizens of our progressing society.”

“As we always say, education is the foundation of everyone’s success, and for which this administration will vigorously pursue in our ‘Bagong Pilipinas’ theme. And you as teachers, being pillars of our education system, will be there as guiding light for our youth,” he added.