DepEd to get biggest digitalization budget in 2024 – DBM

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 20) — The Department of Education (DepEd) may secure more than ₱9 billion to fund its digitalization efforts next year, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said.

In a statement on Wednesday, the DBM said the budget for digitalization increased by 60.6% to ₱38.75 billion from the current ₱24.93 billion.

“Technological advancement has given rise to a growing digital economy which continues to create new forms of work, transforming the employment landscape. Hence, investing in the digitalization of the bureaucracy is crucial not only in enhancing its efficiency but also in generating quality jobs for Filipinos,” Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said.

Of 10 agencies that would receive the bulk of the funding for ICT and digitalization in the budget, DepEd has the biggest share of ₱9.43 billion.

The other nine agencies and their budget are:

- Department of Justice (₱5.55 billion)

- Department of Information and Communications Technology (₱5.34 billion, only for ICT program-related expenditures)

- Department of Finance (₱3.15 billion)

- Department of Interior and Local Government (₱2.60 billion)

- National Economic and Development Authority (₱2.08 billion)

- The Judiciary (Supreme Court, Presidential Electoral Tribunal, Sandiganbayan, Court of Appeals, Court of Tax Appeals) (₱1.44 billion)

- Department of National Defense (₱1.12 billion)

- Department of Environment and Natural Resources (₱913 million)

- Other Executive Offices (₱890 million)

The DBM said the administration set aside funds for the following programs:

- ICT systems and infostructure development, management, and advisory program (₱990.631 million)

- national government data center infrastructure (₱1.67 billion)

- national government portal (₱302.86 million)

- national broadband plan (₱1.5 billion)

- free wi-fi in public places and state universities and colleges (₱2.5 billion)