Lawmaker asks for P4-B increase in SUC budget

MANILA, Philippines - On the last day for filing of amendments to the proposed P3.002-trillion national budget for 2016, Kabataan party-list Rep. Terry Ridon filed proposed changes seeking to excise provisions that transform several agency budgets into pork barrel and rechannel the funds to augment the budget of state universities  and colleges (SUCs).

The proposed budget in House Bill 6132 was approved on third and final reading last Oct. 9 subject to amendments as may be approved by the small committee.

In his 17-page letter to Davao City Rep. Isidro Ungab, chairman of the appropriations committee, Ridon asked for an additional P4.1-billion capital outlay for 27 SUCs, including the University of the Philippines, for the construction of student dormitories, faculty housing and school buildings, especially in state schools located in remote areas. He also asked for the restoration of the P477.8 million slashed from the 2016 budget for maintenance and other operating expenses of 59 SUCs. 

Ridon sought the deletion of the special provision in the budget of SUCs that authorizes school administrators to tap students for construction work.