Unused CCT budget to fund classroom construction

MANILA, Philippines - Unused budget of the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) program of about P640 million will be earmarked for the construction of 2,000 cost-effective classrooms nationwide.

Senate Finance committee chairman Senator Franklin Drilon gave the assurance Monday, saying the unused fund will fill in the gaps in classroom shortage in the country.

Drilon, chairman of the Senate finance committee, said Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman has agreed with the proposal that the project would be undertaken by the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. (FFCCCII), which has partnered with the senator in constructing cost-effective public school buildings.

“This initiative will effectively address our problem of classroom shortage,” said Drilon, adding that the savings of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) mainly comes from the program’s implementation cost.

Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima has endorsed the plan, Drilon added.

Drilon had earlier questioned the unusually high overhead cost of the program, saying the fund should be realigned to bankroll construction of classrooms, day care centers and core shelters.