DepEd won’t object if Congress will approve use of SEF

May 5, 2020

Education Secretary Leonor Briones on Tuesday said there will be no objection on their part if the Congress, as well as the Department of Budget Management (DBM), will approve the use of the Special Education Fund (SEF).

During Laging Handa virtual presser, Briones said SEF is covered by the law and a part of the real property tax.

“We have a law that the real property tax which will be collected will go to  education,” she said.

“I think the one who should decide is the Congress, Senate because that is (covered) by law… we don’t have any objection if there will changes in regulation or law because right now it’s for education,” she said.

Briones said the DBM also specifies education-related expenses where the special education fund can be used.

“The LGUs can use SEF for a lot education-related (funding) like keeping school (and) equipment safe, telecommunications, e-libraries, additional allowances for the teachers who are not earning during this summer month,” she said.

“But this should be approved by the DBM, DILG (Department of Interior and Local Government) and Deped,” Briones added.

Last May 3, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said he is seeking more flexibility on the use of the Special Education Fund (SEF) allotted to local school boards to help schools prepare for a safe reopening.

Gatchalian said that under Section 4 of the Bayanihan To Heal As One Act (Republic Act 11469), the President can authorize the expanded use of SEF as part of his power to adopt temporary emergency measures.

While the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has yet to issue guidelines on how the SEF may be used for schools’ COVID-19 response, Gatchalian proposed that these funds be used as additional funding for localized testing of teachers, learners, and personnel.

The Department of Education is still in the process of realigning its own budget to respond to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, for instance, the need to invest on information and communications technology devices in the absence of face-to-face interaction.

According to Briones, school year 2020-2021 will formally open on August 24. Ella Dionisio/ DMS