Senator Christopher “Bong” Go has filed a bill seeking to expand the allowable uses of the Special Education Fund (SEF), citing long-standing concerns over restrictions that limit how local governments can spend the fund.

Senate Bill No. 1785, filed on 9 February, proposes amendments to Section 272 of Republic Act No. 7160, or the Local Government Code of 1991. The measure aims to broaden the scope of SEF utilization beyond its current purposes, which primarily cover school maintenance, facilities, educational materials, research, and sports development.

In his explanatory note, Go said the SEF, sourced from an additional one percent tax on real property, serves as a supplementary funding mechanism for public schools through local school boards. However, he argued that existing provisions narrowly define how the fund may be spent.

Local government units have previously raised concerns about these limitations, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic when temporary flexibility was introduced. Under Joint Circular No. 2, series of 2020, issued by the Department of Education (DepEd), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and Department of Budget and Management (DBM), SEF spending was expanded to cover items such as self-learning modules, storage devices, and communication expenses.

Go noted that those adjustments were interim measures and said a legislative amendment is needed to institutionalize broader spending authority.

Under the proposed bill, SEF allocations may be used for the construction and repair of libraries, as well as the payment of salaries, allowances, and benefits of teaching and non-teaching personnel. The measure also includes funding for teacher competency trainings, instructional materials, and the operation of the Alternative Learning System (ALS), including compensation for ALS facilitators.

The bill comes amid continuing challenges in the education sector. DepEd has previously reported a significant classroom shortage nationwide, prompting renewed discussions on how education funds can be maximized.

Go said the proposed changes aim to give local school boards greater flexibility in addressing school-level needs, subject to existing approval mechanisms.