During her speech at the 81st commencement exercises of the Leyte Normal University (LNU), Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman assured that the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is firmly committed to the enhancement of education in the Philippines.
Pangandaman addressed the 888 new graduates of LNU’s College of Education, College of Arts and Sciences, and College of Management and Entrepreneurship on Saturday, outlining the budgetary priorities of the Marcos administration for the 2023 fiscal year. A key focus, she stated, was the allocation of PHP909.1 billion to the education, culture, and manpower development sector, the highest in the national budget.
The budgetary allotment encompasses basic education inputs, education assistance, subsidies, universal access to quality tertiary education, and basic education facilities program. This move, according to Pangandaman, is in line with the Constitutional mandate to give top budgetary priority to education and fulfills President Marcos Jr.’s directive to persist in youth empowerment.
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Pangandaman, representing the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), stressed their cautious approach in formulating a national budget that is “responsive to the needs of the time and addresses the immediate and pressing concerns of all Filipinos.”
She further emphasized the intention to maintain the education sector’s significant budgetary share, thereby enabling Filipino students to benefit from enhanced learning tools and equipment. The budget chief vowed to continue to highly value the education sector, recognizing the youth’s potential and contribution to nation-building.
“We will do our best to continue giving high importance to the education sector because we believe in the potential and contribution of the youth to nation-building. We will not deprive them of the opportunity to learn and cultivate their talents,” she said in her native language.
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Furthermore, Pangandaman called on the recent LNU graduates to take an active role and cooperate in achieving the government’s aspirations for national development and progress. “To the LNU graduates of 2023, as you reach for your individual goals, I urge you to take part and contribute to our national commitment. The country needs you,” she said.
She concluded by inviting the graduates to join in the shared goal of improving the Philippines, envisioning a country where Filipinos can thrive, progress, and achieve their dreams.
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