By Leilanie G. Adriano
Staff Reporter
LAOAG CITY—In support of the universal free education in the province, the Ilocos Norte government has allocated about PHP12.5 million for the payment of electricity bills of poor public schools here.
Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph M. Manotoc reported that the amount has been sourced from the Special Education Fund (SEF) of the province.
For 2019, Ilocos Norte’s collection of SEF tax has increased to PHP617,600,000 compared to last year’s more than PHP222 million.
As of this posting, the provincial education department is currently studying the public elementary schools which are qualified under the program.
“We have created some criteria based on their maintenance and other operating expenses. Do they really need it?” said Mr. Manotoc as he explained the concerned schools will be consulted first prior to implementation.
“This time, we will allow the school to decide if they want us to pay their electricity or convert the amount for the purchase of supplies, computers or construction of additional school buildings,” he added.
In 2018, the “Kuryente Mo, Sagot Ko” program covered over 300 primary schools from the 21 towns and two cities of the province, which are receiving below PHP400,000 MOOE annually.
Other projects funded under the SEF in previous years include the construction of more day-care centers, laboratory schools, comfort rooms and establishment of three-generation playgrounds in public parks.
Based on average data, the public elementary schools in the entire province has been paying approximately PHP8 to 11 million in utility bills annually.
The Ilocos Norte government also plans to expand the provincial scholarship grant and make sure the applicants are most deserving and most needy.