Ridon calls for rechanneling of Aquino’s pork to SUCs

Terry Ridon

MANILA, Philippines—A militant youth lawmaker wanted to rechannel what he called presidential pork barrel funds in the 2015 national budget to the coffers of state universities and colleges (SUCs).

In a statement on Wednesday, Kabataan Representative Terry Ridon said he seeks to add P37.7 billion more to the budget of 113 state universities and colleges – from the current P41 billion (less retirement and life insurance premiums or RLIP) to P78.7 billion.

Ridon suggested this amendment to the small committee under the appropriations during the period of amendments to the budget, which will last only until October 1.

Ridon said the following funds that he called vague, lump sum, presidential pork barrel funds must be poured into education:

• Budgetary Support to Government Corporations –Others – P27,606,000

• Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan Program (PAMANA) – P5,000,000,000

• Unprogrammed Funds – Support for Infrastructure Projects and Social Programs – P15,000,000,000

• Unprogrammed Funds – Risk Management Program – P17,699,922,000

Ridon said among the SUCs to get additional budget are the University of the Philippines, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Philippine Normal University, Rizal Technological University, and the Mindanao State University System.

“For years, our students and constituents have called for greater state funding for education. Yet, a nominal increase, such as what we see in the 2015 budget, hardly suffices. What our state schools need is a substantial increase – an additional budget that could match their actual funding requirement,” Ridon said.