DepEd needs R10 B for calamity-affected schools

The backlog for the repair, reconstruction, and rehabilitation of infrastructure damaged by calamities this year and of the previous years has reached the

R10-billion mark, the Department of Education (DepEd) said.

DepEd Undersecretary for Finance Service and Education Programs Delivery Unit Annalyn Sevilla said that there is a R7-billion Quick Response Fund (QRF) backlog to address needs of the schools that were damaged by calamities since 2017.

“During the last two years, we already have a backlog of R7 billion due for repair and replacement of schools damaged by disasters and calamities,” Sevilla said. “If minor repair [of schools] is needed, we find ways to fill this up through the regular budget but replacement [of totally damaged schools] is really a major problem,” she explained.

Following the recent earthquakes in Mindanao, DepEd estimates that another R3 billion is need.

Sevilla said the “backlog will continue to pile up” if the R2-billion annual QRF will not be augmented.

“Every time there’s calamity or disaster, the budget needed increases because this is not included in the regular budget,” Sevilla said. “So if there’s only R2 billion approved for QRF this 2020, it means that this is not enough to make up for the calamities in the previous years that are not yet addressed,” she added.

The QRF is used by DepEd to cover repair and replacement of classrooms caused by calamities or disasters. However, Sevilla explained that this is not included in the proposed regular budget of the agency.

“Some might ask, what seems to be the problem if there’s available budget every year?” Sevilla said. “The answer to this is when we submit requirements for the regular budget, this does not include funding for disasters or calamity,” she added.

Increase QRF

Next week, Sevilla said that DepEd has scheduled plenary hearing for the budget.

“We’re preparing for that and I hope the Senate and the bi-cam committee will also look into our QRF that as of now, there’s already close to R10billion backlog,” she said.

Sevilla said DepEd has already informed the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) of this backlog. “The DBM is already aware of this and we have already submitted our request and we look forward that there are still some funds that are available that we can use for QRF,” she explained.

DepEd, Sevilla said, is pushing for the 2019 budget to be extended. “If the budget of 2019 could be extended, it would be very helpful for us – not just for the DepEd but for the entire government especially those that have very big programs that depend on procurement,” she said.

As much as DepEd wanted to address the damage in calamity-stricken schools, Sevilla said the agency’s hands are tied. “Gusto man naman gamitin ito, ang problema namin is that it is beyond our control already – that is because of the procurement,” she added.