Press Release
March 24, 2007

Recto: P.5-B in 07 budget for pre-school
P750 M for feeding program in kindergarten

SEN. RALPH RECTO on Saturday praised the Department of Education (DepEd) for its pioneering efforts to promote preschool education in the countryside. "Preschool education finally got the attention it deserves which is long overdue," Recto said.

Under Republic Act 9401, the P1.126 trillion national budget will allot for 1,600 pre-kindergarten classes in 4th to 6th class municipalities the amount of P500 million.

The preschool program, which used to last for only six months, will be lengthened to 10 months.

"It's good especially for children in far-flung areas who have to walk kilometers to reach school to get an early taste of classroom education," Recto an advocate of early education, remarked.

"If the children get thrown immediately to work in the fields or sent out to sea to fish, it will be harder to get them interested in studying," he added.

A feeding program that costs P750 million will also be incorporated in the endeavor.

The DepEd's funds for schoolbuildings this year, at P128.6 billion, is P15.4 million larger than last year's allocation.

From this amount, P5.37 billion will be used to construct 7,326 classrooms to include preschools.

"The amount is double of what Malacanang proposed. We really should spend more on education," the senator said.

Education is part of Sen. Recto's H.E.A.R.T.S. advocacy.

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