Manila: Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP) president and Quirino Governor Dax Cua has urged his fellow local leaders to use the Special Education Fund (SEF) to help ease the plight of teachers in their respective communities. Cua made this call as the country commemorates National Teachers' Month this September. He said SEF is a 'powerful tool' to provide 'timely interventions that could benefit our overworked and underpaid school teachers.'
According to Philippines News Agency, Cua emphasized that using the SEF creatively and intelligently could lead to programs offering much-needed relief and aid to teachers. He suggested that the SEF could support various initiatives, such as providing additional allowances for teachers or procuring teaching materials. Additionally, Cua proposed that local government units (LGUs) could develop health and wellness programs, including free annual physical exams, and offer discounts on medical consultations, laboratory tests, and emergency services for teachers and non-teaching personnel.
"We are in a position to lighten the burden carried by our teachers, so I hope we prioritize doing so because our educators are crucial in ensuring that our children have a better and brighter future," Cua stated. He also called on the national government to assist LGUs in effectively utilizing the SEF, in light of reports by the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) indicating that the fund remains underutilized.
The EDCOM reported that between 2018 and 2022, underutilization of the SEF amounted to PHP15 billion in 2022, with cities experiencing the highest rate of underutilization at 57 percent. "Perhaps the national government could help less capable LGUs on the technical side so that they could maximize fund use," Cua suggested.
The SEF is sourced from an additional 1 percent on real property tax that Republic Act 7160, or the Local Government Code, permits LGUs to impose and collect. This tax is automatically allocated to local school boards, providing them with financial resources to support educational initiatives.
