An added P4 billion fund from Bayanihan 2 allocated for DepEd's shift to distance learning

The Department of Education (DepEd) already welcomed the ratification of the Bayanihan to Recover as One Bill otherwise known as Bayanihan 2 while it has yet to receive a final version of the bill. An additional amount of 4 billion pesos will be allocated for the implementation of the DepEd's digital education adjusting to the new normal.

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On Thursday, August 20, the Senate ratified the Bayanihan 2 as finalized by both chambers of Congress, allotting a total of P165.5 billion to government efforts to put an end to the COVID-19 pandemic and support the flagging economy.

Other education-related allocations included in the bill is:

• P600 million for subsidies and allowances of qualified students of public and private schools in all levels, and part-time faculty of state universities and colleges and
• P300 million for subsidies and allowances of displaced teaching and non-teaching personnel, including part-time faculty, in all schools in all levels

DepEd Undersecretary for Finance and Spokesperson Annalyn Sevilla said,

Any additional funding that is aligned to and supportive of the implementation of the Basic Education - Learning Continuity Plan is very much welcome by the Department.

She added that even without the coronavirus pandemic, the original budget given to DepEd was not enough and it is more challenging now because of the additional things they have to do.

As DepEd shifts into distance learning there are different demands and requirements. Like for instance, in the original budget, there was no specific allotment for printing of modules but since it is needed to be funded, DepEd realigned the funds. In addition, they need to do many things that were not included in the budget. However the department said that there is nothing to worry as they have been preparing for it.

All DepEd's budget is to support the Learning Continuity Plan, it continues to realign and review its fund to make sure it is funded.