Lawmakers call on colleagues to undo P10-B fund cut for SUCs under 2023 budget

Kabataan party-list Representative Raoul Manuel on Wednesday sought restoration of the P10-billion budget cut under the P93-billion proposed budget for state universities and colleges (SUCs) for 2023, saying this will affect 81 of the 116 SUCs in the country.

Manuel and other Makabayan representatives made the call under House Resolution 403, saying that the P10-billion decrease in SUC budget next year compared with this year's P103.9-billion budget will adversely impact the capacity of SUCs to safely reopen their campuses for full face-to-face classes amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Cuts in operating costs will adversely impact the capacity of SUCs to safely reopen their campuses for full face-to-face classes amid the COVID-19 pandemic. SUCs have also been given limited fiscal space for capital outlay which they strive to augment with their own revenue-generating sources,” the resolution read.

“For years, our constituents have called for greater state funding for education. An additional budget is needed for our learning institutions to regain their public character and provide ample support for student services and faculty development. If our state universities and colleges are to be expected to perform their duties, they must be funded accordingly,” it added.

The P10-billion budget cut, Manuel said, also resulted in 115 schools having reduced budget for maintenance and other operating expenses, while 83 schools will have less allocation for their capital outlay.

On the other hand,  17 schools will also have a lesser budget for personnel services.

As it is, Manuel argued there is already a need to provide an immediate supplementary budget to facilitate further the safe reopening of schools through funding of proper ventilation of learning spaces, on-campus health facilities and supplies, hiring of human resources for health, support for private educational institutions, medical fund for free treatment, internet allowance for teachers, devices for teachers, compensation for work rendered in excess of teaching hours and additional compensation for co-curricular activities, hazard pay for teachers and education personnel, and student aid.

"Whereas, it is just and reasonable for the House of Representatives to restore the P10.71 billion (P10,710,010,000.00) total cut in Capital Outlay, P1.72 billion (P1,729,158,000.00) total cut in Maintenance and Other Operating Expenditures, and P137 million (P137,158,000.00) total cut in Personnel Services among SUCs," the Resolution said.

"The Congress is also urged to provide an immediate supplementary budget necessary for the safe reopening of schools and to add funding for it in the 2023 national education budget," it added.

Manuel was joined by the following student leaders in filing House Resolution 403:

• Siegfred Severino, University of the Philippines - Los Baños Student Regent, UP System;
• Albiean Revalde, Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) chairperson, PUP Sentro ng Konseho ng mga Mag-aaral;
• Latrell Felix, University of the Philippines - Diliman, chairperson, UP Diliman University Student Council;
• Jonas Abadilla, University of the Philippines - Diliman, National Union of Students of the Philippines; and
• Kairo Jan Gaius A. Co, University of Makati, President, Junior Association of Local Colleges and Universities.

Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman submitted last month to the House of Representatives the proposed P5.268-trillion national budget for 2023.

Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez said the House is eyeing to approve the proposed P5.268-trillion budget for 2023 on third and final reading on or before October 1. —KG, GMA News