Intergenerational fairness considered as Senate OKs DepEd budget

By Wilnard Bacelonia, Philippine News Agency

EDUCATION BUDGET. Senator Pia Cayetano (left) defends the proposed 2025 budget of the Department of Education and its attached agencies at the Senate plenary late Thursday (Nov. 7, 2024). Cayetano answered queries from colleagues, with DepEd Secretary and former senator Sonny Angara (right) by her side. (Photo: Pia Cayetano/Facebook)

MANILA – The Senate has approved a sustainable and resilient 2025 budget for the Department of Education (DepEd) with the consideration of “intergenerational fairness,” according to Senator Pia Cayetano who defended the PHP793.74 billion proposed expenditure for 2025, including for the attached agencies.

During the plenary deliberation late Thursday, Cayetano acknowledged Committee on Finance Chairperson Senator Grace Poe’s support for her proposed amendments, which included increased teachers’ allowances, funding for literacy programs, textbooks, instructional materials, and school electrification.

“Mr. President, in the past years during the budget season, we have always tried to be sustainable but also resilient to future challenges, all well considering intergenerational fairness. This is the idea that the needs of the present generation should be met without compromising the needs of the future generations,” Cayeteno said in her sponsorship speech.

“I extend our gratitude to our Chairman of the Committee on Finance, Senator Poe ,for granting some of the committee’s proposals,” she added.

The approved budget supports DepEd’s five-point agenda, which covers conducive learning environments, efficient learning delivery, upskilled teachers, employable students and raised achievement levels.

Several programs also received funding boosts, including Basic Education Facilities, Basic Education Curriculum, Early Language Literacy and Numeracy, Physical Fitness and School Sports, and implementation of the grant of cash allowance, hardship pay, and reclassification of positions.

“Our goal remains the same: To ensure that the needs of the current and future generations are met, ensuring intergenerational fairness,” Cayetano said.

Next year’s proposed budget of DepEd is 3.99 percent higher than in 2024.