CHED gets P1B for PDAF scholars, projects

Jee Y. Geronimo

This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

Almost half of the P1.05 billion will go to scholarships, with the biggest allotments for Calabarzon, Central Luzon, Western Visayas, and the ARMM

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) announced Wednesday, February 26, an additional allocation of P1.05 billion for the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) that will fund previous pork barrel scholars and other higher education projects.

Almost half or P484.8 million will go to scholarships, particularly for college students who were beneficiaries of legislators’ annual Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) that has been abolished from the 2014 budget after it became controversial.

“When the Aquino administration abolished the Priority Assistance Development Fund, we needed to find a way to ensure the government’s continuous aid to scholars who previously benefitted from legislator-endorsed projects,” Budget Secretary Florencio Abad said in a statement.

“We couldn’t simply halt the scholarships just because we struck out the PDAF from the National Budget. The clear solution was to allocate the funds to CHED so we could maintain tuition assistance to deserving college students in need.” 

The Supreme Court last September issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) on the release of the remaining PDAF in the 2013 national budget after declaring it as unconstitutional. (READ: SC junks PDAF as unconstitutional)

In addition to this, the 2014 budget no longer includes a PDAF allocation for the first time in decades. (READ: Aquino signs P2.265-T 2014 budget)

This was a point of concern for some PDAF scholars. About 400,000 or more than 10% of the 3.3 million college students in the country are pork barrel beneficiaries.

In November, CHED Chairperson Patricia Licuanan said it would look for other funding sources – possibly the Higher Education Fund (HEDF), the General Appropriations Act, or the President’s Social Fund – “so that the studies of these…students will not be affected.” (READ: CHED to PDAF scholars: We’ll take care of you)

The latest release was charged against CHED’s HEDF.

Bangsamoro

The DBM said the biggest slice of the P484.8 million will go to Calabarzon (P57.8 million). Other allocations are as follows:

  • Central Luzon – P42.8 million
  • Western Visayas – P40.6 million
  • Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) – P40 million

The allocation for ARMM, Abad said, is part of the public service delivery of the government to “fast-track their growth” following the signing of the historic firearms deal between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front last January 25.

The landmark deal moves the peace process away from the negotiating table towards ground implementation.

“Part of that drive is opening up more opportunities for Bangsamoro youth to complete their tertiary education, so they can look forward to a future of greater economic empowerment,” Abad said.

He said the scholarship allocation also opens opportunities for more high school graduates in the country to pursue higher education.

The P1.05 billion will also aid the 2014 implementation of the following:

  • CHED’s nationwide roll-out of institutional development initiatives (P234.3 million)
  • Rationalization of programs, standards, and guidelines (P114.5 million)
  • Research and development programs (P214.4 million) 

– Rappler.com

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Jee Y. Geronimo

Jee is part of Rappler's Central Desk, handling most of the world, science, and environment stories on the site. She enjoys listening to podcasts and K-pop, watching Asian dramas, and running long distances. She hopes to visit Israel someday to retrace the steps of her Savior.