SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian expressed confidence in the Department of Education’s ability to handle potential aid suspensions from the United States Agency for International Development.

In an interview with DWIZ, Gatchalian acknowledged that while USAID grants have been beneficial, they are not critical to the core operations of DepEd and the Education Commission.

He noted that a previous USAID grant enabled EDCOM to hire four researchers, which proved valuable to the commission’s work. However, he stressed that any potential aid suspension would not cripple DepEd or EDCOM’s operations.

“I think we can replace it with our own funding,” he said, acknowledging that while minor delays could occur, they would not significantly impact operations.

Recalling past experiences, Gatchalian cited that USAID funding cuts had already occurred when former U.S. President Donald Trump assumed office in 2017. Many projects funded by USAID were halted not only in the Philippines but also in other countries.

This, he said, serves as a reminder that the country should not be overly dependent on foreign aid.

The senator emphasized the need for the Philippines to adopt a more self-sufficient approach to protect vital programs from external policy changes.

He suggested that while foreign grants are helpful, they should be considered supplementary rather than essential to government programs.

Gatchalian underscored the importance of preparing for sudden shifts in foreign policies, especially from major donors like the U.S.

“The most critical operations should be under our control,” he said, advocating for the country to prioritize internal funding.

His remarks come amid global discussions on the reliability of foreign aid, especially as geopolitical and economic shifts continue to affect international cooperation.Gatchalian’s stance highlights the need for resilience and greater financial independence in the Philippine education sector.