OVER P3 billion budget for the education of technical-vocational students has been approved by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).
The DBM, in a statement, said Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman approved on February 15 the Special Allotment Release Order (SARO) amounting to P3.410 billion.
The SARO was released to the Department of Labor and Employment-TESDA “for the implementation of the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education (UAQTE) Act.”
The DBM said the SARO and its corresponding Notice of Cash Allocation (NCA) shall be used to cover the cost of tertiary education for all Filipino students enrolled in technical vocational institutions registered with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
The amount, which is chargeable against DOLE-TESDA’s regular budget under the 2023 General Appropriations Act (GAA), will cover the payment of tuition, miscellaneous fees, accident insurance, trainee provision, health and protective equipment, internet allowance, starter tool kits, national assessment fees, and other school fees for beneficiaries for the year.
The DOLE-TESDA has 54,783 target beneficiaries for the UAQTE program in 2023, which will be implemented through diploma programs nationwide.
Pangandaman said the timely release of funds is one of the government’s initiatives to empower Filipinos, as the Marcos administration puts a “high premium” on education and human capital development. —
