Audit on city's education subsidy urged

By Jeehan V. Fernandez

The education budget needs to be checked.

The city council has passed a resolution earnestly requesting the Commission on Audit (COA) through the city auditor to conduct a comprehensive audit on the education subsidy released to the Division of Iloilo City.

Sangguniang Panlungsod Committee on Education chairperson Erlinda G. Liberiaga has urged the review of the fund since the “parents of students in city's public schools are asking what happened to the subsidy of city government for the miscellaneous fees of their children since year 2000”.

Liberiaga even pointed out that the students were made to pay these miscellaneous fees upon enrollment. “The subsidy is channeled through the Division of Iloilo City Schools but there is no liquidation report to date,” she stressed.

“The subsidy given to our public schools is public funds,” she said adding that the people have the right to know as to its disbursements.

Meanwhile, Liberiaga has pushed for the strict implementation of R.A 5546 or “prohibiting the sale of tickets and collection of distributions for whatever projects or purpose from students and teachers of public and private schools, colleges and universities”.          

This after her office had received several complaints by parents with regards to the excessive contributions being asked from their children. “We find these complaints valid since these contributions violate the provisions of R.A 5546,” she said.

Liberiaga also noted that majority of the students enrolled in public and private elementary and secondary schools come from poor families. She added the parents also find it hard in sending their children to school due to low income.

The proposal would e brought to the attention of the Department of Education ( DepEd ) regional director and school authorities.