The House Defeat COVID-19 Committee-New Normal Cluster passed on June 17 a bill seeking to provide P38.86-billion Recovery Assistance Package for higher education and technical-vocational education and training to cushion the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the country’s higher education institutions and technical-vocational institutions.After more than three hours of virtual deliberation, the panel, chaired by Deputy Speaker and Antique lone district Rep.
The chairperson of the House Committee on Higher and Technical Education explained that his bill seeks to provide assistance for the upgrade and rehabilitation of the information and communications technology infrastructure and connectivity of state-run HEI.Go said HB 6706 provides P1.
HB 6706 or the proposed “Recovery Assistance Package for Higher Education and Technical-Vocational Education and Training Act of 2020 also seeks to grant financial assistance to teaching and non-teaching personnel affected by the extended quarantine. Go said HB 6706 proposes additional budget allocation for Tertiary Education Subsidy under Republic Act No. 10931 to expand its coverage that will include students not covered by the Listahan 2.0 as determined by the Department of Social Welfare and Development .
Officer-in-charge Director Grace de los Santos of the Department of Budget and Management said they are still in the process of consolidating their official position paper on HB 6706. “The savings generated from this continued projects, activities and programs are only viable source to fund COVID-19 measures,” she added.