SouthCot allocates Php144 million for education programs

True to his words that education is one of his top priorities, South Cotabato Governor Reynaldo S. Tamayo Jr. pours in at least Php144 million funds for various education programs in the province.
Allocated under the 2020 Annual Budget of the province is the initial Php61.38 million total funds intended for Assistance to Public Education. This fund will include Php11.69 million for Janitorial Services and another Php11.69 million for Security services assigned at different public schools in South Cotabato.
Early this month, a total of 285 school guards and utility workers were hired directly by the province so that various public schools in the province will no longer be burdened to pay for their honorariums. At least 211 public schools from the province’s 10 towns under the DepEd South Cotabato Division were benefited by this program.
Another Php38 million was allocated as Financial Assistance to Public Schools to pay for the school fees of public school children. This is in support of the “No collection Policy” so that parents will no longer pay for any contributions collected by the schools.
As the chairperson of the Provincial School Board, Governor Tamayo also approved Php45 million allocation for the Special Education Fund as financial support of the different programs and projects of the DepEd South Cotabato Division. These include additional hiring of teachers, school sports development programs, purchase of books, among others.
The province’s scholarship program dubbed as “Kabugwason-Paglaum and Scholarship and Grant-In-Aid (KPSP-GIA) “ was expanded this year with a total budget of Php38 million. Out of the
Php23 million regular fund intended for the degree scholarship program and the Grant-in-Aid program, Governor Tamayo increased the GIA to Php15 million to give more opportunities to students who were not able to avail of any scholarship programs from other agencies to continue with their studies.
“As my commitment to bring free basic education from elementary to high school, I will also try my best to fulfill this promise up to college level.” Governor Tamayo said,
He added, it is the duty of the government to generate funds to sustain whatever the program needs.
He encourages all school workers, teachers, and even stakeholders to cooperate in bringing quality education to the school children.
The governor believes it is by providing quality education to its constituents that the province will continue to achieve its progress and development.