Iligan rep: Probe into delayed CHED allowances to continue

MANILA, Philippines —Rep. Frederick Siao (Iligan) said a probe into the delays in the release of allowances for government scholars will continue despite the resignation of Commission on Higher Education Chairperson Patricia Licuanan.

In a statement Monday, Siao said that there are problems in the structural system of CHED.

“Though Dr. Licuanan has left the CHED, the need for the investigation remains. The problem with the K to 12 Transition program does not just involve the former CHED chairman. It involves the CHED system,” he said.

 “Nevertheless, I thank her for her service to CHED and the Filipino people—steering CHED through the much of the transition through the most significant education reform our country has ever seen—K to 12, the impact of which continues to be felt in higher education,” he said.

Licuanan announced her resignation as CHED chair Monday morning during the flag raising ceremony of the commission.

She said that the office of the executive secretary had called her over the weekend, prompting the resignation. Her term was supposed to end in July.

"It has become obvious that there are persons determined to get me out of CHED by hurling false and baseless accusations against me," she said in a televised speech.

Rep. Jericho Nograles (Puwersa ng Bayaning Atleta party-list) had accused Licuanan of going on excessive trips and of authorizing her own travels abroad, an allegation that she has countered by showing travel authorities approved by Malacañang.

Last Thursday, President Rodrigo Duterte announced that he would fire another chairman.

READ: Licuanan: My job will be over soon, let me finish it

Delays in scholarship benefits

Siao previously asked Licuanan to make an “honorable exit” from CHED over the delayed scholars’ allowances by citing her vertigo.  

“CHED is not lacking in people with intellect and matching advanced academic credentials and work experience but I can no longer accept the excuse that they were unable to anticipate the volume of work [that are] 11,000 sets of documents,” he said in a statement January 6.

In an interview on ANC’s Headstart last Thursday, Licuanan admitted that the delay in release of scholarship allowances “is a serious problem that we deeply regret and are facing.”

But she maintained that her absences have nothing to do with the delays in scholarship allowances.

In a statement released December 25, Licuanan said the delays were caused CHED’s internal system that is unfit to handle a high volume of documents submitted, discrepancies in documentary requirements and additional demands prescribed by the Commission on Audit.

But in a statement released last Thursday, Licuanan clarified that only 4,096 faculty scholars are experiencing delays in the release of living allowances, contrary to reports that 9,500 have been affected.

CHED has already released allowances for 2,051 scholars who have submitted complete documentary requirements. It has also approved the partial release of living allowances of 1,011 scholars with valid contracts and enrollment forms.

READ: CHED apologizes for delayed allowances of scholars