DepEd has P397M to spend for schools’ rehab by yearend

Over P397 million worth of projects for the rehabilitation of school buildings and offices funded under the 2015 General Appropriations Act are due to lapse by the end of the year, according to Education Secretary Leonor Briones.

In a memo, Briones called the attention of concerned Department of Education (DepEd) officials and school division superintendents on the matter, saying that they have three months to obligate the allocations in the 2015 budget.

“In view of the mission of the department to implement projects to ensure the availability and delivery of programs, projects, activities for formal and alternative learning systems, all concerned are advised to give their prompt attention to the remaining months to obligate the allotments… which are considered valid for obligation until the end of 2016 only,” stated Briones.

The affected projects include quick- response fund and the construction, repair and rehabilitation of the DepEd central office, the regional and division office buildings, of more than 100 schools and Gabaldon buildings or heritage schoolhouses across the country, said the DepEd chief.

The memo attached a full list of these projects. It showed that, of the funds that have yet to be obligated, over P184 million was earmarked for the rehabilitation of DepEd offices and P213 million for the repair of classrooms and school buildings.

Of the amount meant for the repair of schools, the highest allocation was for the rehabilitation of the Gabaldon building of Iloilo Central Elementary School, which has not yet started, according to the memo.