00:00Some senators made sure that education and health remain priorities in the national budget passed for next year.
00:06Daniel Manalastas tells us more.
00:10In a post in his social media account on X,
00:13Deputy Secretary Sally Angara was saddened by the decrease in the budget of his office,
00:18saying that this reverses a trend in recent years,
00:21wherein Congress even increases the budget of the Education Department.
00:25Angara lamented that the budget cut in the proposed 2025 computerization program of DepEd.
00:32However, Senate Committee on Finance Chairperson Senator Grace Poe clarified that there were funds allotted for computers,
00:38and the overall 2025 budget of DepEd actually increased compared to its budget this year,
00:45saying that this is a testament to their continuing commitment to prioritize the education sector.
00:51Poe also provided the figures for utilization rate of the computerization program.
00:56It says that as of June 2024, there is 11.92%, while 15.07% in year 2023.
01:06Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino meanwhile echoed Angara's statement.
01:10It's in the Constitution that education is the highest priority,
01:15and not only DepEd, but also CHED was reduced.
01:21So I totally agree, but again, I defer to the collegial wisdom of the members of the bicameral.
01:30Maybe there are some more important priorities, but the budget of education should always be higher.
01:39Senator Sherwin Gatchalian also said that education, especially computers and gadgets for learning,
01:44should always be given priority.
01:46Senator Pia Cayetano also expressed disappointment by the substantial cuts made to 2025 budget
01:53of the Department of Health, DepEd, and other agencies,
01:56saying that health and education must always be our top priorities.
02:01Daniel Manalastas from the National TV for a new and better Philippines.
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