Sen. Franklin Drilon on Thursday demanded an explanation from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) regarding its funds transferred to the Procurement Service of the Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM) and Philippine International Trading Corporation (PITC).
More than P1.1 billion was allegedly transferred to PS-DBM, and more than P87 million was to PITC.
According to CHED chair Prospero de Vera, the funds transferred to PITC were supposed to buy scientific equipment, and this happened several years before he became chairman of the agency.
Many were allegedly not sold, and the funds were returned to the National Treasury.
The PS-DBM part of the Bayanihan Act is for the purchase of computers and distribution to various state colleges and universities.
However, CHED’s purchase capacity is said to be limited, and the June 30 deadline for the use of funds has been exceeded.
However, the funds are returned to the National Treasury, and CHED submits a document to explain the funds being transferred to other agencies.
The Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC), on the other hand, requested that they be given the long-awaited benefits of the faculties such as promotion with an associated salary increase of up to P5.1 billion.
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CHED questioned about funds transferred to PS-DBM, PITC
It is said that since 2016, no teacher has been promoted, and it is said that others have already died.
Sen. Francis Tolentino, on the other hand, asked that student-athletes who need to train and need to be vaccinated for their protection also be given attention.
De Vera said it is not yet in the guidelines and will only be discussed when the pandemic situation worsens.
Tolentino also requested that there be a catch-up action plan due to the two-year pandemic that affected students ’education.
According to De Vera, most SUCs already have a plan and are doing it slowly based on the school’s ability.
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