AS FUNDED BY THE 2007 BUDGET:
Villar: Are new classrooms now ready for school opening?

Senate President Manny Villar asked the government to ensure that the 17,626 new classrooms funded by the Senate in the 2007 national budget are completed in time for the opening of classes in June.

Villar said the Senate has increased by almost half the number of classrooms to be built this year from 12,226 as proposed by Malacanang to 17,626 the level provided for in the P1.126-trillion General Appropriations Act.

We expect that the new classrooms in our public schools are ready for the opening of classes in June. Villar said.

These should alleviate the current shortage experienced by our students who pursue their education despite difficulties and lack of resources, he said.

The additional classrooms will cost P2.613 billion, which the Senate was able to address by reducing funding of atleast important programs proposed by Malacanang.

Despite the additional classrooms, the year will end with public schools still short by 2,961 classrooms, which is largely due to the yearly increase in enrollment.

Recognizing the need to reduce the backlog in school infrastructure and human resource, the Senate had added P4 billion to the budget of the Department of Education (DepEd) this year as proposed by the Palace.

As a result, appropriations for DepEd this year will increase by 14 percent to 128.6 billion, from last years 113.2 billion.