Education Secretary Sonny Angara lamented the PHP 10 billion budget cut from the Department of Education’s (DepEd) proposed computerization program for 2025.
On Thursday, Angara expressed his disappointment on X (formerly Twitter), citing how the money could have been used to fund computers and/or gadgets for public school children.
“10 billion was cut from the proposed 2025 computerisation program of the DepEd. That could have funded thousands of computers/gadgets for our public school children,” Angara expressed.
“Infrastructure is important but so is investing in our people and human capital. The digital divide will widen,” he added.
10 billion was cut from the proposed 2025 computerisation program of the DepEd. That could have funded thousands of computers/gadgets for our public school children. Infrastructure is important but so is investing in our people and human capital. The digital divide will widen
— Sonny Angara (@sonnyangara) December 12, 2024
In a separate tweet, the Education Secretary said that he was also saddened by how both Houses of Congress decided to decrease PHP 12 billion from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s proposed budget for 2025.
Moreover, Marcos also called on Congress to help bridge the digital divide during his most recent State of the Nation Address (SONA). However, Angara noted that the PHP 10 billion allotted for computerization was still cut from their proposal.
“In past years, Congress has increased the President’s proposed budget for DepEd and education. For whatever reason, nakakalungkot na hindi ito mauulit sa 2025 budget,” the education Secretary expressed.
“Pero ang maganda dito, mismo si President Bongbong [Marcos] ang nagsabi sa amin na reremedyohan niya ito,” he added.
BASAHIN: Pahayag ni Sec. Angara tungkol sa DepEd Budget Cut | RH 52 @ednielparrosa, DZRH News pic.twitter.com/LzHqOsJPYK
— DZRH NEWS (@dzrhnews) December 15, 2024
