SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian addressed former Senator Panfilo Lacson’s doubts about including the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) and the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) in the education sector to justify the 2025 budget’s prioritization of education.

Gatchalian argued that these institutions are part of the education sector as they confer Bachelor of Science degrees.

“The PMA confers a Bachelor of Science in Military Education and Training, while the PNPA grants a Bachelor of Science in Public Safety. Any institution that confers a Bachelor of Science degree is considered a tertiary education institution (TEI) and forms part of the education sector,” he explained.

Although these institutions operate under special charters and are not regulated by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), they remain part of the education sector, Gatchalian emphasized.

The PMA operates under the Department of National Defense, while the PNPA was recently transferred to the Philippine National Police. Similarly, the Philippine Public Safety College offers degree programs under the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

“CHED is merely a regulator. Not all TEIs fall under CHED, but they remain part of the education sector,” he said.

Gatchalian also clarified that the General Appropriations Act refers to the “education sector” broadly, encompassing basic education, tertiary education, and technical-vocational training.

“What’s important is that the programs and projects listed in the GAA are executed efficiently. While debates on budget allocations are valid, ensuring funds serve their purpose should be our priority,” Gatchalian concluded.