SENATE Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel 3rd urged the Department of Education to use its confidential fund to purchase electric fans that will help protect learners from the extreme heat.

Pimentel admitted that the government cannot afford air-conditioning units.

Aside from the P150-million confidential funds under the 2023 budget, the DepEd can also tap its Covid19 funds for the purchase of additional fans, he said.

Pimentel explained that there is no need for Congress to pass a measure to realign the confidential and pandemic funds and its disbursement could be done on orders of DepEd authorities.

Earlier, during the budget deliberations, Pimentel questioned and wanted to reduce the agency’s P150-million confidential fund, however, it was retained in the budget.

The lawmaker earlier told school authorities to consider moving the school calendar to make the months of April and May summer breaks.