BY IME SORNITO, RHENJIE MARIE CALANTAS & GLENDA TAYONA
ILOILO City – The proposed P150-million intelligence/confidential fund for the Department of Education (DepEd) doesn’t seem to sit well with some Ilonggo teachers, parents and students.
The intelligence fund is not necessary, according to a public teacher from one of the schools in Iloilo province. She asked not to be named.
“DepEd’s budget should focus on the welfare of the education sector. The P150 million can build a lot of classrooms,” she said.
Vice President and DepEd secretary Sara Duterte justified to the Congress DepEd’s confidential funds. “Education is intertwined with national security,” she said.
“Napakahalaga na we mold patriotic children who will love and defend our country,” Duterte said.
The Vice President, however, did not specify how the confidential fund would be able to accomplish such objective.
Another teacher, “Sir Michael Angelo,” said Duterte did not explain well where the intelligence fund would be used specifically.
He said the Vice President should present a breakdown of intended expenditures
“Para sa akon nag-allot si VP Sara para nga kun may mga problema, may kwaan siya. Preparation lang na ‘guro for something kaso wala niya mapakita ang breakdown,” said Sir Michael.
He also said if the goal is to mold patriotic children, the teachers are there to teach but it should start at home.
“Regarding diri daw nabitin kami, I am speaking for all the teachers. Wala siya may gin-emphasize. Daw wala bala maisa-isa kung diin siya makadto. Kung ang purpose niya lang is to mold the children, teacher(’s work na) ina. Kaso lang, dapat sa family na ya sang bata na-mold na na siya,” Sir Michael added.
Another teacher from a school in Iloilo said if the said intelligence fund shall be used for the right purposes, she is in favor of it.
However, she emphasized that the government should first address the primary needs of teachers to provide students with quality education.
“Ang intelligence fund nami kung mapuslan namon nga teachers. Kay sa tuod lang, damo kami ga-agwanta. Kadamo sang amon subjects pero ang sweldo sang ano lang man. Pero muna eh if may dedication ka gid ya sa pag-teach daw indi mo man kis-a mapansin ah,” said Teacher Mae.
She added that it is better for the proposed intelligence fund to be allotted for school buildings and learning materials.
“Dapat sa fund ipakay-o sa mga guba nga pulungkuan or ipatindog building kay kagutok mag-50 to 60 students sa isa lang ka classroom,” Teacher Mae added.
Meanwhile, a male resident from Iloilo’s 2nd District said there is no red-tagging in high schools and “rebel recruitment” usually targets college students, so the fund should be given to the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).
“Ang recruitment didto sa colleges and universities. Dapat ang pondo hatag sa CHED. Ambot kung paano niya (DepEd) i-gasto ang kwarta, hatagan niya man ang school divisions?” she added.
Another parent, alias “Sha- Sha,” told Panay News that confidential and intelligence funds in the proposed budget for the Education department will be useful if it is really intended for students.
Sha-Sha, a parent of a Grade 11 student at Fort San Pedro National High School, said if the fund will cater the needs of her child for better education, it will be a great help.
“Kung matupad niya okay gid ina eh kay para man na sa edukasyon. Sa mga kabataan kag sa mga estudyante daku gid ina nga bulig sa ila,” said Sha-Sha.
She also mentioned that the education sector is one of the poorest in government; teachers have full load of subjects and other school-related work yet their salary is wanting.
Sha-Sha also admired the dedication of teachers for providing quality education to students despite the hardships and financial problem they encounter, thus this fund, according to her, will provide assistance to teachers to provide much better and quality education to students.
“Kung lantawon lang kaluluoy ang mga teachers. Masako sila, damo load nila pero sige sa gihapon sa pagtudlo para magtanda ang mga estudyante nila. So kung may muni nga budget nga mahatag tani sa ila daw mabayran man ang kapoy nila sa ugtas sa mga estudyante,” Sha- Sha added.
Menawhile, for the 21-year-old college student Joy Camacho from Cabatuan town, the requested confidential fund is too big. She prefers for DepEd to use it to improve or construct school buildings and procure learning materials.
“Mas mayad kon ihatag ang budget sa pag-improve sang eskwelahan kag bakal sang needs sang mga estudyante. Para sa akon daw indi man kinahanglan ang confidential fund sa DepEd,” said Camacho./PN
