ACT Teachers Partylist Rep. France Castro called on the Commission on Higher Education to ensure adequate funds for the promotion and benefits of faculty and non-academic personnel of higher education institutions.

Castro said she received complaints from faculty in several State Universities and Colleges on the delayed implementation of the National Budget Circular 461 cycle 7A, which revised and updated the compensation and classification plan for faculty positions.

“We hope that the Commission on Higher Education swiftly finishes crafting guidelines for the 8th cycle of the NBC 461 so that faculty personnel of SUCs will be able to enjoy the salary adjustments,” Castro said.

“We also call on the Commission on Higher Education to push for the Revised Organizational Structure and Staffing Standards for SUCs to be properly budgeted. These are for the promotion of our non-academic personnel in SUCs who also deserve proper compensation adjustments. Both the NBC 461 8th cycle and the funding of ROSSSS are long overdue,” she added.

Castro also urged CHED to be more proactive in assisting higher education institutions in the implementation of Covid19-related measures.

The lawmaker said CHED should aid the faculty and staff on the implementation of flexible learning systems, prevention of layoffs, and implementation of minimum health standards in schools.