Stratbase: Tap unprogrammed funds for far-flung schools’ connectivity
Unprogrammed appropriations (UA) should be used for the Department of Education technology programs, which will connect schools to the internet, says Stratbase Institute. FILE IMAGE
MANILA, Philippines — Unprogrammed appropriations (UA) should be used for the Department of Education (DepEd) technology programs, which will connect schools to the internet, especially those in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas, think tank Stratbase Institute said on Tuesday.
Stratbase president Victor Andres “Dindo” Manhit said that after the House of Representatives has approved the proposed 2026 national budget, it is the Senate’s turn to make an intervention, increasing funding for the Last Mile Schools Program through the use of UA.
“Now that the House has passed the budget, it’s the Senate’s turn to make a strategic intervention. We urge our senators to ramp up funding for digital infrastructure in public schools, especially those farthest from the capital,” he said in a statement.
“Reliable broadband internet and access to AI-powered learning platforms are no longer luxuries—they are essential infrastructure,” he added. “They ensure learning continuity during typhoons and floods, and equip both teachers and students with tools to thrive in a digitally driven, AI-powered economy.”
Manhit pointed out that the 2025 General Appropriations Act or the actual budget, along with the 2026 National Expenditures Program, only provided P3 billion to the Last Mile Schools Program.
This includes support for solar panel installations. However, Manhit said that does not include line items for key programs like the Computerization Program or connectivity enhancement.
Regarding UA, House committee on appropriations chairperson and Nueva Ecija 1st District Rep. Mikaela Suansing said that under the 2026 General Appropriations Bill (GAB), there are 11 purposes for unprogrammed funds:
- Strengthening assistance for social programs or the previous Strengthening Assistance for Government Infrastructure and Social Programs (SAGIP), without the infrastructure component: P45.09 billion
- Budgetary support to government owned and controlled corporations: P6.895 billion
- Support to FAPs, or loan proceeds that would be approved and declared effective: P97.30 billion
- Government of the Philippines counterpart of FAPs that are still undergoing negotiation: P35.76 billion
- Program on risk management: P3.600 billion
- Refund of service development fee for the right to develop the Nampedai property in Japan: P210.5 million
- Prior years’ local government unit shares: P14.62 million
- Revised AFP modernization program: P50.00 billion
- Fiscal support arrearages for comprehensive automotive resurgence strategy (CARS) program: P333.5 million
- Marawi siege victims compensation: P2.000 billion
- Comprehensive and adequate insurance protection of strategically important government assets and interests: P2.000 billion
READ: Suansing justifies need for unprogrammed funds in foreign projects
According to Suansing, no local infrastructure project — regardless whether it is flood control, bridge, or road construction — will originate from the UA as they have placed safeguards in crafting the GAB.
Instead, Suansing said that infrastructure components under the UA are reserved for foreign-assisted projects (FAPs) and classroom construction.
READ: No more flood control projects under unprogrammed funds – Suansing
Manhit said that without immediate investments, the country may suffer from educational inequality and may fall further behind in global readiness rankings.
“Unprogrammed appropriations must not become a backdoor for pet projects,” Manhit said. “Let’s instead use them for a transformative investment that ensures every school is equipped with broadband, digital devices, and online learning content that teachers can use to reverse our education crisis.”
“The latest innovations in education technology are often not the cheapest. If we want durable, scalable systems that can truly transform learning, we must invest in best-value solutions — just like the private sector does,” he added. With reports from Jossa Rafoncel Par, INQUIRER.net intern /jpv
