DepEd 7 expresses concern over P12-billion budget cut

Local

A SIGNIFICANT portion of the Department of Education’s (DepEd) budget cuts for 2025 threatens to slow digital learning advancements in Central Visayas, a region that has long relied on substantial allocations to enhance its education programs.

DepEd Central Visayas (DepEd 7) Regional Director Salustiano Jimenez, in a press briefing on Wednesday, December 18, expressed concerns over the P12 billion reduction from the agency’s original P748.6 billion proposed budget.

The Computerization Program (DCP), which accounts for P10 billion of the cuts, is among those heavily impacted.

“Of course, there is an effect, the fact that Region 7 is a large region, and then usually ang Computerization Program dire dako,” Jimenez said, emphasizing the reliance on the program for equipping public schools with digital tools such as laptops, tablets, and network systems.

The DCP, established under DepEd Order 78-2010, has enabled thousands of schools to address gaps in information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure.

The program provides computer laboratories, e-classrooms, and ICT literacy training to prepare learners and teachers for modern education demands. However, the recent budget adjustments risk stalling these efforts.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara, on the other hand, voiced frustration over the cuts. He underscored how the reduced allocation compromises access to gadgets for students and widens the digital divide.

He reiterated the importance of balancing infrastructure projects with human capital investments.

While DepEd regularly receives the largest share of the national budget, Jimenez highlighted that 70 to 75 percent of the allocation is consumed by the salaries of over one million personnel nationwide.

“Dako kaayo tan-awon, dakoag budget sa DepEd, but if you’re going to get the salary first, then what’s left for the operations, so you could say, gamaya ra diay ana,” Jimenez explained.

Central Visayas alone has around 82,000 teaching and non-teaching staff across schools in Cebu, Bohol, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor.

Despite this workforce size, limited funds remain for critical areas such as infrastructure rehabilitation and operational improvements.

Jimenez noted the region’s aging school buildings, some dating back over six decades, which require urgent repairs.

Despite the setbacks, Jimenez expressed optimism about the possibility of restoring the budget.

Jimenez shared that Angara assured them of efforts to appeal to President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. for reconsideration, aiming to reinstate the P12 billion cut from the agency’s funding.(MyTVCebu)