News Briefs: February 2, 2017

LGUs can still give teachers allowances under revised rules – DepEd

MANILA – The Department of Education (DepEd) clarified on Thursday, February 2, that the revised guidelines on the use of the Special Education Fund (SEF) of local government units  still allows LGUs to provide public school teachers with allowances. 

The DepEd recently issued a joint circular with the Department of Budget and Management and the Department of the Interior and Local Government on the revised guidelines and policies on the utilization and purpose of the SEF under the Local Government Code. 

The updated guidelines were prompted by the observations of the authorities on the supplementary budgetary needs of schools and learning centers, as well as adjustments brought about by the implementation of the K to 12 and early childhood care and development programs. 

Section 4 of the joint circular enumerates the expenditure items that are chargeable against the SEF, including payment of compensation or allowances of locally-hired teachers in elementary and secondary schools, where there is a shortage of teachers.

While payment of allowances of nationally-hired teachers is not included in the guidelines,  “local governments are not prohibited from granting such,” the DepEd said in a press release. These additional allowances may be sourced from the LGUs’ regular budget or general fund, subject to existing budgeting rules and regulations. – Rappler.com