Would it be better if money was spent on desks instead of shirts?

CEBU City has purchased P216,000 worth of T-shirts for Brigada Eskwela volunteers without City Council approval, raising questions on procedures and on whether the amount should have been better spent for the students’ armchairs.

In Cebu province, repairs of classrooms in northern Cebu have yet to start, but education authorities are already asking students and teachers to prepare for the opening of classes two weeks from now by recycling old school supplies.

The Cebu City Mayor’s Office bought 1,200 T-shirts which were distributed to volunteers of “Brigada Eskwela” which started on Monday even before acting city treasurer Diwa Cuevas could certify fund availability (CAF) for the said purpose.

It was only during yesterday morning’s session that the executive department, through a resolution by Councilor Noel Wenceslao, sought the council’s approval to charge the T-shirt purchase on the city’s share of Pagcor funds.

“This could set a precedent of something that was already purchased and distributed (even in the absence of council approval,” said Councilor Margot Osmeña, the acting vice mayor and council’s acting presiding officer.

Rama is on official travel to the US, leaving Vice Mayor Edgar Labella as the acting mayor.

Councilor Alvin Dizon said the money could have been put to better use if this was spent on the repair of armchairs or the purchase of other school equipment.

Wenceslao asked the City Council to approve his resolution subject to ratification upon the submission of the needed CAF. Legislators instead referred it to Osmeña’s budget committee for review.

Herschel Bataluna, first vice president and head of the Parents Patrol in the north and south districts, wrote Mayor Michael Rama on March 20 to request for 1,200 T-shirts for their parent-volunteers. Rama made a note to Bataluna’s letter and directed Local School Board head, former councilor Jose Daluz III, to “handle” the request and charge this to the city’s Pagcor funds.

The request was endorsed to Wenceslao’s office on May 13 for the passage of a resolution charging the T-shirt printing to Pagcor funds.

Councilor Leah Japson raised a concern on why Pagcor funds should be used for the T-shirts and not the Special Education Fund (SEF) especially since this was to be used in a school related activity.

Classes in tents

In Cebu province, DepEd-7 Director Carmelita Dulangon admitted that holding classes in damaged rooms and tents can affect the interest of students. Dulangon admitted that classrooms in northern Cebu are not ready yet.

DepEd-7 recorded 1,973 damaged rooms in northern Cebu, 366 classrooms are needed to be rebuilt.

The Department of Education (DepEd) – 7 has proposed P974 million to the national government for the schools in northern Cebu but this is still subject for approval.

Dulangon encouraged students and parents to recycle old school supplies.