THE KABATAAN Party-list Southern Mindanao Region called against budget cuts in state universities as it affects the quality of education for the youth.
“Habang mayroon paring mga pampublikong kolehiyo ng nakakaranas ng kaltas sa badyet, ito’y nagreresulta sa paghirap at pagbagsak ng kalidad at accessibility ng edukasyon sa rehiyon,” Kabataan SMR in a press release on Sunday.
Kabataan stressed that four public universities in Southern Mindanao are affected by the budget cuts, citing the National Expenditure Program 2026.
These four include the University of Southeastern Philippines (USeP, Davao de Oro State College (DDOSC), Davao Oriental State University (DORSU), and the Southern Philippines Agri-Business and Marine and Aquatic School of Technology (SPAMAST).
For USeP, which has five campuses: Obrero, Mintal, Tagum, Mabini, and Bislig, will suffer a budget cut from P1,228,435,000 in GAA 2025 to P971,369,000 in NEP 2026. This represents a 20.93% decrease or P257,066,000.
For DDOSC, which is currently at full capacity, will have a budget cut of 16.95% or P81,601,000 from P481,491,000 in GAA 2025 to P399,890,000 in NEP 2026.
In DORSU, the main SUC in Davao Oriental, which has P667,591,000 in GAA 2025, is down to P626,478,000 in NEP 2026. It represents a 6.16% decrease, amounting to P41,113,000.
DORSU has more than 15,000 students in the academic year 2022-2023.
Meanwhile, the SPAMAST in Davao Occidental’s budget cut is at 18.24% or P52,778,000. This is from P289,421,000 in GAA 2025 down to P236,643,000 in NEP 2026.
“Imbes na pondohan ang mga maanomalyang mga proyektong pang-imprastraktura na ginagamit sa korapsyon ng mga pulitiko, ilaan ang pondo sa kinabukasan ng mga kabataan at palawigin pa ang mga pangunahing serbisyong panlipunan,” Kabataan stressed.
