Mandaue City Mayor Thadeo Jovito "Jonkie" Ouano announced that the City Government is adjusting its Special Education Fund (SEF) to a projected P252 million, a significant reduction from the P700 million budgeted under the previous administration. The move aims to align the budget with actual revenue collections, which historically have not exceeded P300 million.
Prioritizing Safety Over Superficial Improvements
With limited SEF resources, Ouano said the City is focusing on structural repairs and hazard mitigation projects in public schools ahead of the new school year. "Repainting and other superficial improvements can take a backseat for now," he stated, echoing the stance of City Councilor Joel Seno, chairman of the committee on appropriations, budget and finance.
The mayor noted that the SEF, sourced from a share of real property tax collections, has generated P221 million as of midyear. The projected collection for the entire 2026 is P252 million. Given this constraint, the City is reviewing school projects proposed as far back as 2023 and 2024, prioritizing those that directly affect student safety and welfare.
Addressing Unpaid Obligations
Ouano disclosed that the City is still dealing with unpaid obligations from previous years' projects, including laboratory facilities and solar energy installations. To manage these, the City has proposed staggered payments to suppliers. "If they are willing to wait, we can pay them in installments. If not, I would rather have them remove the installations," the mayor said.
He explained that this arrangement allows the City to continue funding current priorities while gradually settling past obligations. "If we spend all our funds settling past projects, we will have nothing left for this year's priorities," Ouano added, emphasizing the need to "tighten our belts."
School Supply Distribution Despite Constraints
Despite financial challenges, the City will distribute 27,875 school supply sets to public school students in the last week of July. Each package includes a bag, notebooks, ballpens, a tumbler, a raincoat, and a reusable storage box. The mayor inspected the items and expressed satisfaction with their quality.
Procurement is already underway, with deliveries expected this July. The school supplies will be funded through the SEF, while disaster preparedness materials for high school students will be sourced from the City's Disaster Risk Reduction and Management fund.
Ongoing Support for Education
Ouano appealed for understanding as the city balances limited resources with the growing needs of the education sector. "Despite our limitations, we will continue to find ways to support our teachers and students because education remains one of our top priorities," he said.
The City is also exploring ways to provide Teachers' Day tokens through the general fund. "We love our teachers here in the city," Ouano concluded.
