Even school fund politicized?

By Ronilo L. Pamonag

San Joaquin Mayor Ninfa Garin decried what she says is the 'politicized' use by the Capitol of the Special Education Fund.

Garin, who attended yesterday's 1 st Provincial Education Summit, observed that Capitol would release huge amounts of the SEF in the run up to the elections.

“And when it is no longer, like right now, they would release maybe P30,000 or P50,000,” she added.

Though Gov. Niel Tupas said that Garin is entitled to her opinion, he denied using the SEF for political purposes.

“You have seen the reaction of the teachers,” he pointed out.

Teachers applauded Tupas earlier when he stood up to clarify Garin's accusations.

Freeze contribution

In another development, Garin called on the provincial government to momentarily suspend the collection of their share in the real property taxes, which are channeled into the Special Education Fund.

She explained that a percentage of what the municipalities collect as real property taxes is remitted to the provincial government, which in turns allocates said amount for the SEF.

Freezing this would mean better school facilities and a higher quality of education, Garin said.

Tupas, however, said that this is 'impossible' as the law provides otherwise.

“We have to amend the law,” Tupas said, although he did not mention the statute.

“What is intended for the provincial government should be given to the provincial government, and what is intended for the municipalities should also be given to them,” he stressed.