THE Cebu Provincial Government will tap more than P1 billion in unspent Special Education Fund (SEF) money to build new school buildings and repair damaged classrooms, after officials discovered years of underused funds.
Why it matters
The Department of Education (DepEd) reports a severe shortage — over 3,000 classrooms needed, just weeks before the School Year 2025-2026 starts. Many schools are still damaged from Typhoon Odette (December 2021) or stuck using makeshift facilities due to pandemic delays.
“This is urgent. Very urgent. This is one of the governor’s priorities,” said Provincial Administrator Joseph “Ace” Durano.
“The province is not here to accumulate money. The province is here to serve. These funds will be used properly,” he added.
Key details
Durano revealed that as of July 22, Cebu’s SEF trust fund had a balance of P1,083,358,000.
The SEF comes from a one percent real property tax, collected for education projects: construction, repairs, supplies and salaries.
The Provincial Government collects about P600 million in SEF per year. The current balance reflects two to three years of spending delays, mostly due to infrequent Provincial School Board meetings.
Reasons of delays
Delays in releasing SEF funds were tied to Covid-19 pandemic and typhoon recovery, but also to a slow approval process.
The funds have no expiration and no annual spending limit — enabling long-term planning and rapid response to urgent needs.
DepEd 7 Director Salustiano Jimenez and Provincial Schools Division Superintendent Senen Priscilo Paulin have both called for immediate action, with critical gaps in classrooms and teaching staff.
What’s being done
Cebu Gov. Pamela Baricuatro ordered the Provincial School Board to convene in August.
The board — chaired by the governor, with DepEd 7 input — will formally approve which projects to fund.
Plans include:
• Building new classrooms;
• Repairing and rehabilitating old or damaged buildings;
• Buying school supplies;
• Hiring more teachers; and
•Launching feeding programs.
Baricuatro and Durano pledge transparency and speed, promising “more new buildings” for students and teachers.
Cebu has the resources to address its classroom crisis. With urgent action and new leadership, thousands of students could see safer, better learning spaces by the start of a new school year. / CDF