Angeles City exec pushes for changes in SEF utilization guidelines

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(PNA), BNB/ZST/MDDR/PS

ANGELES CITY, Pampanga, July 14 (PNA) -- Three-term city Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan is pushing for changes in the utilization of the Special Education Fund (SEF) which would benefit public school teachers and the students.

In his letters addressed to the Secretaries of Education, Budget and Management, and Interior and Local Government, Pamintuan stated that, “the antiquated guidelines on the utilization of the Special Education Fund issued through DBM-DILG-DECS Joint Memorandum Circular No. 1, Series 1998, Joint Circular Nos. 01A, Series of 2000 and Joint Circular No. 01-B, Series of 2000 are not only contrary to law but have failed to assist in alleviating the poor condition of our public schools and public school teachers as it limits the grant of allowances to public school teachers using the SEF to the amount received by the teachers as of 31 December 1997 (almost 20 years ago) and prohibits the use of the fund to settle bills for water and electricity.”

"Clearly, the said Joint Circulars are inconsistent with the pertinent provisions of Republic Act No. 7160 or the Local Government Code of 1991, particularly Sections 100 (c) and 272,” Pamintuan added.

The city mayor also said that he hoped that “change will come with a new set of DBM-DILG-DepEd Guidelines on the Utilization of the Special Education Fund; one that is pro-teachers, pro-public students, pro-public schools and pro-local government units (LGUs)."

"The new set of guidelines must allow the LGUs to use the SEF to give the amount of allowances our public school teachers need subject to availability of funds, pay the bill for water, electricity and internet utilities of schools and DepEd buildings, buy books, develop sports, campaign against illegal drugs, conduct educational research work and all other related activities, including commemoration of teachers day and annual teachers general assemblies, pay for the construction and repair of classrooms and school buildings,” the mayor explained.

Lawyer Michael Aguinaldo, chairman of the Commission on Audit, was also given copies of the letters to the three department secretaries.

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