Pia Cayetano laments slow reconstruction of schools in disaster-hit areas

Senator Pia Cayetano. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Senator Pia Cayetano on Friday pressed the panic button on the slow pace of repair and reconstruction work of school buildings in disaster-hit areas due to the delay of the release of funds.

Only a few weeks remain before the opening of classes in June, and yet many state universities and colleges (SUCs) that were damaged by Yolanda and the strong earthquake are still awaiting the release of the funds meant for their rehabilitation,・ Cayetano, chairperson of the Senate committee on education, arts, and culture, said in a statement.

“”I understand that plans and budget proposals for rehabilitation have to be reviewed. But summer has come and is almost gone,   still we have yet to see the funds released to our SUCs,” she said.

Cayetano noted that aside from a P14.6 billion supplemental budget, Congress also allocated over P100 billion, under the 2014 national budget, to rehabilitate disaster-hit areas,

And yet, she said,   only P32.2 billion had been released according   to the Department of Budget and Managament (DBM)

“The fund allotted for the reconstruction of SUCs is P1 billion, which is not even one percent of the total rehabilitation budget. But what’s holding up its release, considering that the school year is just about to start?” Cayetano said.

Citing data from CHED, the senator said, 26 SUCs have already submitted their respective fund requests to DBM amounting to P826.5 million,   seven were still waiting for the second round of validation by the Department of Public Works and Highways, while another 18 SUCs have yet to undergo assessment by the agency.

的n calamity stricken areas, our priority for the youth is to encourage them to resume their schooling. This will greatly help in their rehabilitation and recovery,” Cayetano added.

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