Congress to look for more funds for school facilities after 'CR' issue —Gatchalian

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Saturday assured teachers that the 18th Congress will look into having more funds to improve educators' working conditions, after reports surfaced about restrooms being converted into faculty rooms.

"They and other school personnel can rest assured that beginning in the 18th Congress, we will definitely look into how we can earmark more funds dedicated to improving the working conditions of our educators," Gatchalian said in a statement.

"Dapat parating mga estudyante at guro ang makinabang sa pagpapaayos ng mga pasilidad ng ating mga paaralan. Quality education means quality educational facilities for both students and teachers," he added.

Gatchalian said in the 2019 budget, P30,973,016,000 has been allocated for "basic education facilities" including faculty areas.

This amount is broken down into maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE) of P2,137,968,000 and capital outlay of P28,835,048,000.

"So, as far as I am aware, restrooms being converted into faculty rooms are the exception, not the norm," Gatchalian said.

A comfort room (CR) or restroom at the Bacoor National High School was reported to have been turned into a faculty room. 

After news broke out, the school principal said the teachers will be moved to the social hall instead.

The Department of Education said in a statement it is seeking to address the Bacoor issue and similar concerns "strategically over the long term" by including in its programs the construction of administration buildings.

"DepEd has included in its 2020 budget request to the Department of Budget and Management the funding for an initial batch of such buildings that will have space for principal’s office, faculty room, guidance room, library, and school supplies and equipment storage in times of calamities," the statement read. —KG, GMA News