Manila – In a significant move concerning national education and security, Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa called for increased vigilance among teachers in monitoring insurgency recruitment among students. This statement was made following the removal of the confidential and intelligence funds (CIF) allocated to the Department of Education (DepEd) by Congress.
According to Philippines News Agency, dela Rosa emphasized the potential risks associated with the budget cut during the Senate plenary debates on DepEd’s proposed 2024 budget. Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Z. Duterte had earlier withdrawn the request for CIF for both the Office of the Vice President and the DepEd. Dela Rosa commended this decision, noting it prevented extended debates in the Senate. However, he expressed concern over the possible recruitment of students by the Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) in remote areas, especially with the removal of these funds.
The CIF was reportedly aimed at stopping the spread of insurgent recruitment among senior high school students. Dela Rosa referred to a previous Senate investigation into the disappearance of several senior high school students, later found to have been recruited by insurgents. The DepEd had previously stated that their CIF was utilized in combating various threats, including sexual abuse, violence, graft, drug involvement, insurgency, terrorism, child labor, and other illegal activities.
In the same context, Senator Christopher Lawrence Go praised the Senate for allocating an additional PHP3 billion to the DepEd’s budget. He supported the Vice President’s decision not to pursue the confidential funds, aiming to resolve this contentious issue. Go advocated for redirecting the removed funds towards programs benefiting classrooms and educational infrastructure.
The House of Representatives had slashed PHP150 million from the DepEd’s CIF request. The approved budget for the DepEd under the 2024 National Expenditure Program is PHP718.082 billion, significantly lower than the requested PHP758 billion. This budget includes allocations for various educational initiatives and institutions.