Lack of manpower delays tuition reimbursements to schools —CHED

The delay in the reimbursements of tuition to schools under the free education program was due to the lack of manpower of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), its chairperson Prospero De Vera III said.

In a budget hearing on Wednesday, De Vera said the CHED will pursue reorganization to address reports that some universities and colleges are not receiving the reimbursements on time.

“The CHED must have more administrative capability, particularly personnel,” De Vera said.

However, De Vera noted that CHED also needs cooperation of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and state universities and colleges (SUCs) to resolve the issue.

“We need to get the money from DBM faster and earlier. We need the state universities to ensure that they comply with many requirements,” he said.

De Vera issued the remarks after ACT Teachers partylist Rep. France Castro cited a report of an alleged nine-month delay of reimbursement to a school in Region 3.

“‘Yung mga SUC na nagrereklamo na hindi sila nabigyan, ang totoo, marami doon, maraming non-compliance. The papers will not move if they don’t comply with requirements,” De Vera said.

The Universal Access to Quality Education Act aims to exempt students enrolled in SUCs, LUCs and technical-vocational schools from paying tuition and other fees such as miscellaneous fees.

Under the 2021 National Expenditure Program, CHED will get P50.9 billion budget.—LDF, GMA News